Deny and Avoid – a Failed Theory

January 24, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Cal, the employee, is in the middle of an approach-avoidance mess. He has a job that he needs and doesn’t want. He doesn’t know what he’s doing and he’s lost while he’s doing it. He forces a smile while he’s scared; he wants to leave and has to stay. As confused as he appears, he’s not the least befuddled about this: It may be scary “in here”, but it’s much scarier “out there”. Bottom line, Continue reading →

No Work, No Income

January 24, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Outplacement. Downsizing. Rightsizing. Realignment. Reorganizing. Call it what you want, it means the same thing to the person being affected: No work, no income. It’s not what the company wanted. Management wanted great products, productivity, and profitability. It’s not what the employees wanted. They wanted certainty, security, a financial stake in the future. No work. No income. She and He have lost their jobs and are at a loss to know how to reconcile their Continue reading →

Take Charge of Your Life, Sam

January 24, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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I describe here the saga of Sam Smiley. An affable fellow who, as a young man, chose a career in sales because family and friends said he should.  “You’re a natural”, they said. “You’re a warm, outgoing guy. People like you; they’ll trust you; they’ll buy from you.” What a relief for Sam! “I’m a warm, outgoing guy, and trustworthy, too. People like me so they’ll buy from me. What a concept!” Sam did as Continue reading →

Cautionary Tales

January 23, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Dave Duckit lost his job because he wouldn’t fight to keep it. Hannah Highway lost her job because she valued being right more than she valued doing the right thing. Larry Leeway lost his job because he needed more room to maneuver than his company had space to give him. What are the stories behind the headlines? Dave Duckit: Dave acts laid back and appears to be a get along, go along person, but don’t Continue reading →

Mary, Larry, and Harry – Changing the Paradigm

January 23, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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“Everyone wants to shoot the messenger!” says Mary, who’s the messenger for a boss who would rather “not get involved.” Here’s her story. It might have familiar ring: Mary is a seasoned executive assistant. She’s able to see what needs doing and gets it done. She thinks on her feet, consistently makes good choices, and good decisions. She’s hard working and dedicated to her job; organized, good with details and sees how they connect to Continue reading →

Tomorrow’s Employee Today

January 23, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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“I’ve always thought of myself as someone steady and stable. Other people say they don’t see me that way, at least, not lately. I’ve had four jobs in five years and some interviewers are telling me that I’m unemployable. I never in my life thought I’d hear something like that.  I was with my first employer for 21 years. I figured I’d stay with them until I retired but the owners had to close the Continue reading →

Hugh Dooit Takes Charge of His Own Career and You Should Too!

January 23, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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Hugh Dooit is a personable, intelligent fellow who by all conventional standards should be enjoying a reasonably successful career. He isn’t. He’s blocked by an outdated expectation that others will guide his career and provide the criterion and access he needs to reach his goals. Hugh, there was a time that your boss, your human resources rep, and if you’re lucky, an internal mentor would work with you, charting your course as you worked your Continue reading →