The What When Where How and Why of Decisions

Welcome to another article. This time I'll be talking about “The What, When, Where, How, and Why of Decision Making.”

Decision-making is like a two-pronged fork and it generally involves either being against or for a particular line of thought, idea, or concept.

What?

To give you a little perspective, a decision is something that you make or take when you are given with more than one choices or opportunities. It involves you looking at the pros and the cons of a situation or opportunity and go with either one based on what you have inferred and how you have inferred it. To put it crudely, it basically involves taking sides and being on one side or the other.

When?

Taking a decision generally involves the element of thought and being able to review the pros and the cons. Taking as a decision can happen at any time in your life and as many times as there are choices to be made. Every single day, you are provided with numerous opportunities and situations (be it small or big) where you have to make a decision. There are no set rules as to when you will make or take decisions.

Where?

There are so many opportunities and situations in your life that you make or take decisions consciously or unconsciously. You may even make or take decisions in your sleep. There is no specific place where you can, may, or will take decisions. As there are many stars in the night sky, there are numerous possibilities on the locations where you will take them.

How?

Taking a decision is a thought-provoking process. You have to know both the pros and the cons of your decisions to make a decision. You have to be well versed with the content matter in which you are taking the decision. You apply your mental prowess to the various and numerous thoughts, opportunities, possibilities that are in front of you and choose the best one based on their respective pluses and minuses and go with the one that you feel is the best one. It is basically thinking about what would be the best outcome of your decision and how you would plan on going ahead with it after you have taken it.

Why?

You basically take a decision so as to satisfy the parties to their respective thought processes. It is basically like saying I will be with you or with you for this reason, and this is the reason why I am doing this. You are basically telling them why you have chosen one over the other and why you have done so. It is like giving an explanation to a question.

Conclusion

No matter in what stage in life you are, where you are, how you are, or what you’re you will always have to make decisions that influence you and your surroundings and the ripple effects will go a long way in shaping your life. Whenever you make or take decisions, make sure that you think thoroughly and effectively on how, why, what, where is it that you’re making the decision.

You do not want to be in a situation later, where the decision that you have taken or made comes back to haunt you and you regret making that decision. Always try and look at both sides of the coin and choose whether you want heads or tails.






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[ABOUT: Devesh Prabhu is an avid blogger and has been blogging posts and rants on many subjects through his various blogs. He has been associated with the blogosphere for the past 8/9 years and inadvertently left the blogging scene albeit to concentrate on his personal life, but his desire to be among his readers brought him back.]

[NOTE: The article "The What When Where How and Why of Decisions" first appeared on the "All About Profession Blog."

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5 Uncommon Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs

We have heard many successes stories of entrepreneurs with gut wrenching risk taking abilities who possess the virtue of fearlessness. But every successful entrepreneur possesses a handful of uncommon traits that hardly take a place in the books on entrepreneurial lesions but are essential for success. And people who identify these hidden traits or possess these uncommon qualities are sure to become successful entrepreneurs.

• Curiosity: Curiosity should be counted as the best trait of an entrepreneur as it's that never-ending thirst to know the positive and negatives or the ups and downs of business. Curious entrepreneurs always look for answers - how things work, why there is a decline in buying, what triggered an increase in business etc. Entrepreneurship curiosity ignites innovation. Innate curiosity drives their ambition to creative innovative products and services. In fact, many great entrepreneurs like Twitter Co-Founder, Jack Dorsey have testified that its curiosity that cleared the path of entrepreneurship before them.

• Pragmatism: Pragmatism is a synonym for a successful entrepreneur. They choose to work on their self inspiration earned through personal observation and develop ideas for what they feel is in need around them. So they build a concrete plan and they are very practical in terms of getting there. Successful entrepreneurs never compromise on their vision and they do not set goals to test realization, but only to achieve. Being practical does not mean to be overly cash sensitive rather have a great sense of the reality and plan up appropriate actions needed to achieve the goals. Smart entrepreneurs work on their plan, may change it as they progress but never loses their focus from getting a good return.

• Impatience: Patience is undoubtedly a virtue, but for an entrepreneur, impatience is a virtue that drives them to achieve their ambitions as soon as possible. They may not be looking for shortcuts, but rather are in search for faster routes than the traditional ones. In the world of entrepreneurship, smart people take different priorities and values to achieve what they dream of. It's all about pushing a bit too hard, test the limits, and learn what their real threshold is. It requires the entrepreneurs to place themselves out of their comfort zones, gain great confidence in their abilities, and make things happen. They realize that life is too short to sit around and wait for things to happen. 

• Non judgment: It's a great quality of successful entrepreneurs to abstain from judging themselves. It's impossible to survive as an entrepreneur for long without any failures. The greatness of successful entrepreneurs is that they make it a learning experience than negatively judging it as their fault. They go on to find what they have learning from these mistakes than why they have failed. 

• Calculated Risk Takers: Smart entrepreneurs are not gamblers but people who take calculated risks. They do not shy away from risks, they understand that not taking risk is a huge risk. Hence, they crucially analyze the opportunities offered and possess the confidence that something worth can be made of the opportunity before they get into it. They try to limit the ultimate risk by letting go of a bad idea. They do not wish to lose out in a business deal by impulsive decisions rather they take responsibility for their actions. They prepare themselves not to be carried away by emotion, temptation or reflex but relay on their experience and knowledge.

• Need around them: So they build a concrete plan and they are very practical in terms of getting there. Successful entrepreneurs never compromise on their vision and they do not set goals to test realization, but only to achieve. Being practical does not mean to be overly cash sensitive rather have a great sense of the reality and plan up appropriate actions needed to achieve the goals. Smart entrepreneurs work on their plan, may change it as they progress but never loses their focus from getting a good return. 

• Impatience: Patience is undoubtedly a virtue, but for an entrepreneur, impatience is a virtue that drives them to achieve their ambitions as soon as possible. They may not be looking for shortcuts, but rather are in search for faster routes than the traditional ones. In the world of entrepreneurship, smart people take different priorities and values to achieve what they dream of. It's all about pushing a bit too hard, test the limits, and learn what their real threshold is. It requires the entrepreneurs to place themselves out of their comfort zones, gain great confidence in their abilities, and make things happen. They realize that life is too short to sit around and wait for things to happen.

• Non judgment: It's a great quality of successful entrepreneurs to abstain from judging themselves. It's impossible to survive as an entrepreneur for long without any failures. The greatness of successful entrepreneurs is that they make it a learning experience than negatively judging it as their fault. They go on to find what they have learning from these mistakes than why they have failed.

• Calculated Risk Takers: Smart entrepreneurs are not gamblers but people who take calculated risks. They do not shy away from risks, they understand that not taking risk is a huge risk. Hence, they crucially analyze the opportunities offered and possess the confidence that something worth can be made of the opportunity before they get into it. They try to limit the ultimate risk by letting go of a bad idea. They do not wish to lose out in a business deal by impulsive decisions rather they take responsibility for their actions. They prepare themselves not to be carried away by emotion, temptation or reflex but relay on their experience and knowledge.

VIA EMAIL: MumbaiHangOut

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Learn to Admit Your Mistakes, Errors, and/or Shortcomings

Many of us are individually guilty of error. We do not like to admit to ourselves our mistakes, errors, shortcomings, or ever admit we have been in the wrong. And because we will not see the truth, we cannot act appropriately.

Someone has said that it is a good exercise to daily admit one painful fact about ourselves to ourselves.

Look for and seek out true information concerning yourself, your problems, other people, or situation, whether it is good news or bad news.

Adopt the motto - “It doesn’t matter who’s right, but what’s right.”

Admit your mistakes and errors but don’t cry over them. Correct them and go forward. In dealing with other people try to see the situation from their point of view as well as your own.

VIA EMAIL: Chumma

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Office Politics - to participate or not?

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors," said the great Greek philosopher Plato. 

One may call it the art of diplomacy, buttering, backbiting, earning brownie points etc. But if you want to survive and excel in this highly competitive and complex corporate world, you can't ignore office politics. However, it's an indisputable truth that office politics is in other words a sacrifice of self esteem and many argues that people involved in this contribute very little to the organization. But there are some simple ways to deal with it to remain unhurt.

• Be a team player: Being a good team player is attained at the point of realization that the company and the team come before you. Outperforming in a team project lifts your morale, which obviously increases your chances of being promoted. Personal attitude matters a lot here. Not everyone in the team can be your good friends, never a possibility. What counts is your professional maturity of not voicing your difference against another while at work.

• Be a good observer: There is no excuse if you miss to observe what is happening around you and how things are done in your organization. Observation means involvement too, rather an indirect participation. Here you should try to find out what are the values of the company and how are they enacted? What is the process of decision making? What is the risk tolerance level? You will get an accurate idea about the culture of your organization by finding out the answers for the above questions and thus you can design your style of work in your organization.

• Be a good communicator: Communication doesn't only mean that you talk and develop a good rapport with everyone around you. Rather, it's how you let everyone know what you have achieved in a con vincible manner. But at the same time, a fallacy of exaggerating your success or taking undeserved credit for your role in teamwork will land you to neck-deep office politics. A good communicator creates friends and a makes even enemies talk good about him - he is the master of diplomacy.

• Respect all: Respecting your subordinates is as important as your superiors. While you shower your boss with countless salaams and behave with people working under you or co-workers in an autocratic manner with the wrong notion of positional hierarchy, you can never expect respect from anyone. In the heavily complex professional and personal relationship web in an organization, you never know to whom someone might be connected.

• Manage your own behavior: You got to be calm and cool at times of tensions. Refrain from gossiping, questionable judgments and spreading rumors. Grow beyond interpersonal conflicts. You should never compromise on your integrity. Professionalism and work ethics should be the basis of your actions. Above all, you should be extremely careful when revealing things to others - never blindly rely on confidentiality.

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50 Common Interview Questions & Answers

Review these typical interview questions and think about how you would answer them. Read the questions listed; you will also find some strategy suggestions with it.

1. Tell me about yourself?

Answer: The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present.

 

2. Why did you leave your last job?

Answer: Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward-looking reasons.

 

3. What experience do you have in this field?

Answer: Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.

 

4. Do you consider yourself successful?

Answer: You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.

 

5. What do co-workers say about you?

Answer: Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the hardest workers she had ever known. It is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself.

 

6. What do you know about this organization?

Answer: This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?

 

7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

Answer: Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.

 

8. Are you applying for other jobs?

Answer: Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.

 

9. Why do you want to work for this organization?

Answer: This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals.

 

10. Do you know anyone who works for us?

Answer: Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of.

 

11. What is your Expected Salary?

Answer: A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That's a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position?

In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.

 

12. Are you a team player?

Answer: You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.

 

13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

Answer: Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I'd like it to be a long time. Or as long as we both feel I'm doing a good job.

 

14. Have you ever had to fire anyone?

Answer: How did you feel about that? This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization. Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force.

 

15. What is your philosophy towards work?

Answer: The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done?

Yes. That's the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization.

 

16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?

Answer: Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.

 

17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

Answer: If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.

 

18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization?

Answer: You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.

 

19. Why should we hire you?

Answer: Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other candidates to make a comparison.

 

20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made?

Answer: Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.

 

21. What irritates you about co-workers?

Answer: This is a trap question. Think really hard, but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.

 

22. What is your greatest strength?

Answer: Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples: Your ability to prioritize, your problem-solving skills, your ability to work under pressure, your ability to focus on projects, your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, your positive attitude

 

23. Tell me about your dream job?

Answer: Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can't wait to get to work.

 

24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?

Answer: Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.

 

25. What are you looking for in a job?

Answer: See answer number 23.

 

26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?

Answer: Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.

 

27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?

Answer: Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better answer.

 

28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?

Answer: There are numerous good possibilities: Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver

 

29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor?

Answer: Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.

 

30. What has disappointed you about a job?

Answer: Don't get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include: Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.

 

31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.

Answer: You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for.

 

32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?

Answer: Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one.

 

33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?

Answer: This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge, Achievement, Recognition

 

34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights / Weekends?

Answer: This is up to you. Be totally honest.

 

35. How would you know you were successful on this job?

Answer: Several ways are good measures: You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success. Your boss tells you that you are successful.

 

36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?

Answer: You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself future grief.

 

37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?

Answer: This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.

 

38. Describe your management style?

Answer: Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman or consensus, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management expert you listen to. The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of one size fits all.

 

39. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?

Answer: Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small, well-intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.

 

40. Do you have any blind spots?

Answer: Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. Do not hand it to them.

 

41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?

Answer: Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.

42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?

Answer: Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the position.

 

43. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?

Answer: First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up: Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard-working, quick learner.

 

44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?

Answer: Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have these traits.

 

45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute?

Answer: Between others. Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem-solving technique and not the dispute you settled.

 

46. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?

Answer: Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.

 

47. Describe your work ethic?

Answer: Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good.

 

48. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?

Answer: Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings.

 

49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.

Answer: Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.

50. Do you have any questions for me?

Answer: Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive and What type of projects will I be able to assist on? are examples

And, finally, Best of Luck! Hope you will be successful in the interview you are going to face in the coming days.

 

"Never take some one for granted, hold every person close to your heart, because you might wake up one day & realize that you have lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones."

 

Remember this always in life!

Image Source: @Freepik

17 Management Funda's

1. "We will do it" means "You will do it"

2. "You have done a great job" means "More work to be given to you"

3. "We are working on it" means "We have not yet started WORKING on the Same"

4. "Tomorrow first thing in the morning" means "Its not getting done "At least not tomorrow!"

5. "After discussion we will decide - I am very open to views" means "I have already decided, I will tell you what to do"

6. "There was a slight mis-communication" means "We had actually lied"

7. "Lets call a meeting and discuss" means "I have no time now, will talk later"

8. "We can always do it" means "We actually cannot do the same on time"

9. "We are on the right track but there needs to be a slight extension of the deadline" means "The project is screwed up, we cannot deliver on time."

10. "We had slight differences of opinion "means "We had actually fought"

11. "Make a list of the work that you do and let's see how I can help you" means "Anyway you have to find a way out no help from me"

12. "You should have told me earlier" means "Well even if you told me earlier that would have made hardly any difference!"

13. "We need to find out the real reason" means "Well I will tell you where your fault is"

14. "Well Family is important; your leave is always granted. Just ensure that the work is not affected," means, "Well you know..."

15. "We are a team," means, "I am not the only one to be blamed"

16. "That's actually a good question" means "I do not know anything about it"

17. "All the Best" means "You are in trouble"

Famous Quotes by Great Minds

Famous Quote #1
‘People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be’ - Abraham Lincoln

Famous Quote #2
‘Everyone has problems, some are just better at hiding them’ - Unknown

Famous Quote #3
‘If we did all the things that we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves’ - Thomas Edison

Famous Quote #4
‘Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it’ - Dennis P. Kimbro

Famous Quote #5
‘Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy’ - Thich Nhat Hahn

Famous Quote #6
‘Life is not lost by dying; life is lost minute by minute, day by dragging day, in all the thousand small uncaring ways’ - Stephen Vincent Ben't

Famous Quote #7
‘Only by going too far can one possibly find out how far one can go’ - Jon dyer

Famous Quote #8
‘People only see what they are prepared to see’ - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Famous Quote #9
‘Don't be afraid to fail because only through failure do you learn to succeed’

Famous Quote #10
‘It’s true that we don’t know what we’ve got until we lose it, but it’s also true that we don’t know what we’ve been missing until it arrives’

Famous Quote #11
‘Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself’ - Chanakya

Famous Quote #12
‘The tongue weighs practically nothing, but so few people can hold it’

Famous Quote #13
‘It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone; but it takes a lifetime to forget someone’

Famous Quote #14
‘Always put yourself in the other’s shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the person too’

Famous Quote #15
‘The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything they just make the most of everything that comes along their way’

Famous Quote #16
‘Many people will walk in and out or your life, But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart’

Famous Quote #17
‘To handle yourself, use your head, To handle others, use your heart’

Famous Quote #18
‘He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses more; He who loses faith, loses all’

Famous Quote #19
‘If someone betrays you once, it’s his fault. If he betrays you twice, it’s your fault’

Famous Quote #20
‘God Gives every bird it’s food, But he does not throw it into it’s nest’

Perseverance, Persistence, & Determination Story

Perseverance, Persistence, and Determination Story
(Never Give Up in life...)

In 1867, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with the Long Island. However bridge building experts throughout the world thought that this was an impossible feat and told John Roebling to forget the idea. It just could not be done. It was not practical. It had never been done before.

John Roebling could not ignore the vision he had in his mind of this bridge. He thought about it all the time and he knew deep in his heart that it could be done. He just had to share the dream with someone else. After much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington Roebling, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built.

Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.

The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington Roebling was injured and left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.

“We told them so. Crazy men and their crazy dreams. It's foolish to chase wild visions.”

Everyone had a negative comment to make and felt that the project should be scrapped since the John Roebling were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built. In spite of his handicap Washington Roebling was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever.

Washington Roebling tried to inspire and pass on his enthusiasm to some of his friends, but they were too daunted by the task. As he lay on his bed in his hospital room, with the sunlight streaming through the windows, a gentle breeze blew the flimsy white curtains apart and he was able to see the sky and the tops of the trees outside for just a moment.

It seemed that there was a message for him not to give up. Suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife Emily.

Washington Roebling touched his wife’s arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers again. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.

For 13 years Washington Roebling tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife’s arm, until the bridge was finally completed in 1883. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances.

It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in a man who was considered mad by half the world. It stands too as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long years patiently decoded the messages of her husband Washington Roebling & told the engineers what to do.

Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a never-say-die attitude that overcomes a terrible physical handicap and achieves an impossible goal.

Often when we face obstacles in our day-to-day life, our hurdles seem very small in comparison to what many others have to face. The Brooklyn Bridge shows us that dreams that seem impossible can be realized with determination and persistence, no matter what the odds are.

Moral: Even the most distant dream can be realized with persistence & determination. Never take some one for granted, hold every person close to your heart because you might wake up one day & realize that you have lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones. Remember this always in life.

[VIA Email: Syed Hassan Ali]

5 Positive Leadership Strategies

These are uncertain times. Employees are questioning how their industry and job will be impacted by the current economy. They’re unsure about what action to take. Unfortunately this uncertainly creates what I call a VOID and my theory is that where there is a VOID negativity will fill it.

When there is a void of clear and positive communication people start to assume the worst and act accordingly. At the root, it's all about fear. When we are uncertain, fear and negativity creep in and dominate our thoughts, behavior and actions. This leads to a lack of trust, decreased productivity, poor focus, uninspired teamwork and sub-par performance. Instead of taking positive actions to thrive our teams go into survival mode and just try to survive.

That’s why I believe now, more than ever, is a time for positive leadership. Now is a time to stop obsessing about the recession, get back to basics, create a plan of action, and inspire, encourage and empower your teams. Why? Having worked with countless leaders over the years in businesses, schools and professional sports I’ve realized that great leadership is first and foremost a transfer of belief. So often the difference between success and failure is belief. Positive leaders share their belief, optimism, vision, purpose and plan with their organization and in the process they inspire and empower their teams to believe, act and execute. Positive beliefs lead to powerful plans and actions and this leads to significant results.

However, positive leadership requires more than inspirational speeches. It is a process and there are several steps you need to take to get your team on the bus and moving in the right direction.

1. Make Your Culture a Priority:
Negativity and fear are knocking your people off balance. It’s time to regroup, refocus, and unite them to create a winning culture and team environment. Remember, you win in the office first. Then you win in the marketplace. With a winning team you create strength on the inside that can withstand the negativity, naysayers and adversity on the outside.

I saw this happen first hand with Atlanta Falcons last season. In the face of the Michael Vick scandal, Coach Mike Smith took charge and built a winning team by making the team culture, attitude and synergy his priority. I was brought in to help with this process and we saw and immediate and powerful impact.

2. Share a Positive Vision:
It has to be clear, bold and simple so that that everyone in your organization can understand and rally around it. It also has to be relevant to the challenges you have faced and the direction you must go. As a leader you must share this vision every day with everyone in your organization and encourage your managers and employees to do the same. Invite everyone on the bus and energize them towards a common vision, goal and destination.

3. Develop a Fleet of Bus Drivers:
Once you share the vision and invite everyone on the same bus then it’s essential that each person in your organization understand how they can contribute to this vision. This empowers each person to drive their own bus and generates a fleet of bus drivers with your organization all moving in the same direction with a shared vision, focus and purpose.

4. Fill the VOID...Often:
Leaders, you must personally meet with your company and continually share your vision for the future and your fiscal status. Now is not a time to be in your office. Now you must be seen and heard and hear and see. Managers, communicate with your team. Let each person know where they stand. Talk about their fears. Listen to them. Explain your plan of action. Tell them how you plan to win in the marketplace. If you always fill the VOID with positive energy then negativity and fear can't breed and grow.

5. Turn Negative Energy into Positive Solutions:
Utilize your current challenges, problems and complaints as a way to generate new ideas, innovations and paths to success. Study history and you'll find that many successful companies, products and initiatives were born during recessions and downturns. Encourage each person in your organization to ask and answer the following questions:

1. What can we learn from these challenges?
2. How can we improve because of it?
3. What opportunities does it present?
4. What actions do we need to take now?

These are uncertain times and no one can predict what the future will look like but by filling the voids with positive leadership, positive communication and positive action there is one thing you can be certain of - a future where you are stronger, wiser and better than you are today.

Stay Positive!
Jon Gordon

10 principles for Peace of MIND

1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked:
Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God. God has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because God within them prompts them that way. Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.

2. Forgive And Forget:
This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive,20Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.

3. Do Not Crave For Recognition:
This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yourself in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely.

4. Do Not Be Jealous:
We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody's life is shaped by his/her destiny, which has now become his/her reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.

5. Change Yourself According To The Environment:
If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured:
This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control... If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.

7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:
This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.

8. Meditate Regularly:
Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily meditation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.

9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant:
An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting of God's name.

10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret:
Do not waste time in protracted wondering " Should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Why cry over spilt milk?



Think Positive

More Life Lessons

1. We all have a story to tell based on our life experiences. Tell it. It might help someone.

2. Take time to encourage a kid.

3. Take time to listen to a kid.

4. Give a kid some work to do.

5. Teach a kid to work.

6. Don't yell at your children. It hurts.

7. Listen to your heart and trust what it is saying.

8. Remember: what the enemy meant for evil, God can use for good. Share your story.

9. Use your God given gifts and talents and serve people.

10. A gentle answer turns away wrath. Proverbs 15:1

11. Always give a volunteer something to do. Turning away someone who is willing to contribute for free is a bad business decision, and it may discourage that person from volunteering again.

12. Reset your desire to zero, then your life would be more simple.

13. If you chase perfection, you might catch excellence!

Regina Brett's 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on

Regina Brett's 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on
Posted by Regina Brett September 20, 2007 14:03PM

Originally published in The Plain Dealer on Sunday,May 28, 2006

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here's an update:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

To reach this Plain Dealer columnist:
rbrett@plaind.com, 216-999-6328

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DISCLAIMER: Please note that this piece is from another paper & has been reproduced, no infringement of any sort intended.

Happiness is not destination, it's a Journey!

1. If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm you'll never enjoy the sunshine.

2. If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you. What we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down.

3. If you spend all of your time looking back at yesterday, You are destined to trip over tomorrow.

4. Extraordinary people survive under the most terrible circumstances and they become more extraordinary because of it.

5. Growing is like running a twenty-six mile marathon. If we give up on the twenty-fourth mile. We will never know what it feels like to finish the race.

6. The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter.

7. The wind may blow from any direction, but the direction in which you go depends on how you set your sails.

8. The real winners in life are the people who look at every situation with an expectation that they can make it work or make it better.

9. I can feel guilty about the past, apprehensive about the future, but only in the present can I act. The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.

10. Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character.

11. Happiness is not a destination, it's a journey. Happiness is not tomorrow, it is now. Happiness is not a dependency, it is a decision. Happiness is what you are, not what you have.

12. Do not say everything would be so senseless. See the lonely rose bud in the garden as it blossoms in the winter. In spite of all the frost, the cold For it - life begins every day. It develops slowly like the bud opens carefully the delicate petals ventures and then shines strongly. Remember even in the time of devastation life begins everyday.

Difference: C.V,, Resume, & Biodata

People use the words RESUME, C.V., & BIO-DATA interchangeably for the document highlighting skills, education, & experience that a candidate submits when applying for a job. On the surface level, all the three mean the same. However, there are intricate differences.

RESUME:
Resume Is a French word meaning "summary", and true to the word meaning, signifies a summary of one's employment, education, and other skills, used in applying for a new position. A resume seldom exceeds one side of an A4 sheet, and at the most two sides. They do not list out all the education and qualifications, but only highlight specific skills customized to target the job profile in question.

A resume is usually broken into bullets and written in the third person to appear objective and formal. A good resume starts with a brief Summary of Qualifications, followed by Areas of Strength or Industry Expertise in keywords, followed by Professional Experience in reverse chronological order. Focus is on the most recent experiences, & prior experiences summarized. The content aims at providing the reader a balance of responsibilities and accomplishments for each position. After
Work experience come Professional Affiliations, Computer Skills, & Education

C. V.: CURRICULUM VITAE:
C. V. Is a Latin word meaning "course of life". Curriculum Vitae (C. V.) is therefore a regular or particular course of study pertaining to education and life. A C.V. is more detailed than a resume, usually 2 to 3 pages, but can run even longer as per the requirement. A C. V. generally lists out every skills, jobs, degrees, & professional affiliations the applicant has acquired, usually in chronological order. A C. V. displays general talent rather than specific skills for any specific positions.

BIO-DATA:
Bio Data the short form for Biographical Data, is the old-fashioned terminology for Resume or C.V. The emphasis in a bio data is on personal particulars like date of birth, religion, sex, race, nationality, residence, martial status, & the like. Next comes a chronological listing of education and experience. The things normally found in a resume, that is specific skills for the job in question comes last, & are seldom included. Bio-data also includes applications made in specified formats as required by the company.

A resume is ideally suited when applying for middle and senior level positions, where experience and specific skills rather than education is important. A C.V., on the other hand is the preferred option for fresh graduates, people looking for a career change, and those applying for academic positions. The term bio-data is mostly used in India while applying to government jobs, or when applying for research grants and other situations where one has to submit descriptive essays.

Resumes present a summary of highlights and allow the prospective employer to scan through the document visually or electronically, to see if your skills match their available positions. A good resume can do that very effectively, while a C.V. cannot. A bio-data could still perform this role, especially if the format happens to be the one recommended by the employer.

Personal information such as age, sex, religion and others, and hobbies are never mentioned in a resume. Many people include such particulars in the C.V. However, this is neither required nor considered in the US market. A Bio-data, on the other hand always include such personal particulars.

Things To Do If You Lose Your IT Job

As the financial crisis plays itself out across global markets, pink slips are flowing like Mountain Dew at a WOW tournament. And while it's only natural to feel apprehension about IT job security, some are discovering opportunity in the wake of unemployment.

When Robert Fleming was laid off from his job as an IT administrator for an Ottawa software firm two months ago, he went through a period of three weeks doing nothing but trying to cope emotionally to his situation. Then he followed the time-honored advice of experts. "I made looking for a job my job," he said. Even so, he found he had plenty of time left over to spend with friends and family.

Good thing, too. In the end, he got his current job -- working the help desk at a government agency -- from his mother's hairdresser's son. "I was visiting my mother, and she came home from the salon and said, 'I think I have something for you,'" he said. "It's six degrees of separation out there, and your opportunities can come from unlikely places."

Laid off. Downsized. Words that are heard often these days. That you would devote a significant amount of your time to finding another job -- as Fleming did -- is a given. But even the most aggressive job hunt won't take all your waking hours. There are only so many jobs ads to answer on Monster.com and Craigslist. Only so many recruiters who will take your calls. So to ward off what Fleming calls "the utter crazies," most unemployed IT workers are finding other outlets for their physical, intellectual, and emotional energy.

1. Get Smart: Learn New Skills:
David Christiansen wasn't technically laid off, but the writing was on the wall. Christiansen, who writes the TechDarkIT.com blog -- which he calls a "corporate IT survival guide" -- had an IT position at a Portland, Ore., company that was struggling.

Budgets were being cut, projects canceled, and little by little his department was getting chiseled away. For reasons he still can't figure out, he was allowed to stay. But there was -- literally -- nothing to do.

Having had a deep-seated ambition to work for a startup, he decided to learn more leading-edge technologies. "I'd literally show up in the morning with a book and study all day," he said. Among other things, he taught himself Ruby on Rails, which helped him land his current job as senior software developer at the Collaborative Software Initiative, in Portland. "There are so many opportunities to pick up new skills -- classes, books, Web sites -- no one has any excuse for not refreshing their capabilities," he said. In fact, he wrote "Slacking Off During A Recession" for his blog, in which he recommended that IT workers take a little time during their current workday to learn new skills that will actively advance their ability to survive should there be a layoff.

Marketing guru and author Seth Godin also recommends slacking. "Become an expert. For free, using nothing but time, you can become a master of CSS or HTML or learn Python," he recently wrote on his blog.

2. Jump-Start A New Venture:
Hyatt. Burger King. FedEx. And, of course, Microsoft. What do these companies have in common? They were all started during recessions. Which illustrates the point that for Type A people, there's probably just one way to fill up those days: Keep working. Although there's less seed money, and venture capitalists are being tight with the purse strings, opportunities with Web 2.0 technologies, new handheld devices, and other innovations are bountiful.

The tools you'll need to build your empire are plentiful, and many of them are FREE. Investing time and earning sweat equity could be the path to your next job -- or even independence.

3. Get In Shape:
Long hours behind a desk can lead to flab, fatigue, and mounting stress. The best remedy is physical activity, but who's got the time when deadlines loom and the BlackBerry never stops blinking?

After being laid off from his long-time job at Liz Claiborne, Tom Reeve -- who had been a senior IT manager in charge of planning and implementing new technologies and business processes -- decided to put an emphasis on his health. "I'm in the habit now, if I don't go to the gym every day, that I really feel it," Reeve said. "I've focused on changing my lifestyle, so hopefully when I go back into the workforce I will have gotten into a much healthier daily routine."

Although he's also spending more time with family, his sons are well into the teenage years, "and progressively want less of my time," he said. Still, they've taken small family trips and engaged in activities of mutual interest, like history.

Reeve is looking for an executive-level IT position, and, "fortunately for me, I can still wait it out a little bit more. So I've enjoyed the stress-free time." Reeve said he looks younger, feels younger, "more like 35 than 49," as well as rejuvenated. "I'm ready to go back to work when I find the right situation," he said.

4. Spend More Time With Friends, Family:
Mike Boyarski has a much more relaxed attitude toward his now-free days. He received a generous pension when downsized from his job as director of partner relationships for a large Silicon Valley company. He's taking his time looking for work. "I'm not going to jump at the first thing that comes my way," he said. "I have the time to wait for the right opportunity." In the meantime, he has lots to keep him busy: two small children, aged two years, and four months, respectively.

"I'm spending a lot of time hanging out with them, going to the park, really enjoying myself," he said. Because he and his wife have always been conservative with money, they were prepared for such an eventuality. Boyarski estimates he has six to nine months he can spend in this fashion "before worrying."

5. Volunteer To Help Others:
Phil Freeman was a quality assurance manager at NetApp when reorganization forced him out in early February. He's currently doing all the right things to dig up opportunities. Networking. Answering ads. Talking to recruiters. But to fill what would otherwise be empty days, he's also doing a lot of volunteering.

He goes down to the senior center at the City of Sunnyvale, in California, where he lives, and helps organize and supervise activities, serve meals, and otherwise do what he can to help. "It's energizing," he said. "Helping other people is the best way to keep your mind off your own problems."

It's also a good way to put your new skills into practice. If you're learning a new programming language, or honing your MySQL abilities, taking on a project that forces you to apply what you're learning in a real world way might look good on your updated resume. It will almost certainly feel good to have acquired new knowledge, and to have helped someone else in the process.

3 serious MISTAKES to avoid in your CAREER

Employee turnover hurts not only those receiving their “walking papers,” but employers as well. It’s a costly, though avoidable, problem. I often see the same detrimental effects that some actions repeatedly have on different individuals. If you want to have a long and successful career, here are three mistakes to avoid.

1. Failing to have a Personal Action Plan:
Like companies, the very successful career managers know where they’re headed. They have a clear plan, whether it’s memorized or actually written down; after they create it, they continually massage it, and refer to it often. That said, I am constantly amazed that many managers who would never think of trying to run their department or organization without an annual plan and regular reviews somehow think they can do a great job of running their life without one.

When I am brought in to an organization to work with someone who is on the brink of being let go; I always start by asking him or her what they want out of their professional life. Invariably, these folks don’t know.

And, of course, if you don’t know where you’re going, how can you expect to get there?

Ask any really successful individual if they have a plan for their career, their personal life and or their financial status and you’ll find that over 85% of them have a plan. They may not have it written down; but they can tell you what they intend to do.

2. Failing to Deliver Results:
Winners in business know that it’s all about accountability. Those who harbor a sense of entitlement for simply having put forth effort, irrespective of the results of those efforts, are guaranteed to fall by the wayside.

In many companies, it seems like promotions and raises are often granted based more on who one knows, or one’s appearance and not being a competent manager. Many companies appear to make promotion decisions about based on seniority without much weight on results. In such environments it’s easy to become complacent; believing that results don’t matter, or worse that you are bulletproof.

Surprise! In today’s job market, no one is bulletproof forever. And nobody survives forever without delivering the goods at least some of the time. Take a hard look at what you’re giving the company with your efforts – can your performance being quantifiably shown as making a difference? If all you can report are soft and squishy contributions that don’t make an impact of the company’s key objectives or financial targets – you’re at risk.

Also, don’t be one of those losers who inappropriately take full credit for positive results despite the help or input received by others. Winners give credit where credit is due. Losers inevitably reap what they sow.

3. Failing to Self Promote:
Bragging is one thing, but ensuring that others throughout your company are aware of what you’re contributing is simply a smart practice. Losers often fail to recognize the importance of letting others know about their successes or go about it in entirely the wrong way.

Relying on others to look after you is a quaint idea at best. I’m pretty certain it was naïve even in the good old days when everyone drove a Ford or Chevy; while Mom stayed home to look after the house while Dad went about five miles to his job; and no one doubted that the USA would be the dominant leader in technology and management practice.

In today’s world, decisions affecting one’s career are made very quickly. I know execs in startups who thought that they’d just joined a new company that was going to make them wealthy with a long-term career, but then saw the company bought out by a competitor. I’ve also known people who had enjoyed a good career but their employer couldn’t succeed due to industry evolvement. They found themselves talking to a new supervisor about why they should be kept in the new entity. A bad place to be.

Make certain that people in your company & elsewhere in your industry know of your success through whatever means available. Don’t put your future in the hands of others who are going to be preoccupied with their own long-term success.

10 Business Words to Ban

10 Business Words to Ban

By - DAVID SILVERMAN

10. As well as:
The three word version of "and," which should always be replaced by it, unless you are MacGyver trying to delay a mad scientist from blowing up the world by speaking as much as possible.

9. And/Or:
An editor once told me, "And-slash-or means 'and' or 'or,' so pick one, unless you have no idea what you're trying to say, in which case, by all means use it."

8. People Manager:
As opposed to "Goldfish supervisor?" Seriously, this is a "try not to offend anyone term," that makes managers of people and non-people (whatever that is) feel less like managers or people and more like guppies.

7. Value, Valued, Valuing:
Like "bad" in the '70s, "value" now seems to connote its opposite. When someone says, "You and your ideas are valued," you know both you and your ideas are a step closer to the door.

6. Value Add:
Like value, "value add" doesn't mean "value" or "add." It is a substitute for the potentially embarrassing, "I don't understand." As in, "Yes, but what's the value add to take away from your presentation?"

5. Take Away:
You take away food in a paper bag with a clown on it. Period.

4. Net-Net:
Like "irregardless," this phrase is meaningful when chopped in half, and meaningless in whole -- except to indicate that the speaker doesn't know what "net" means.

3. At the End of the Day:
It's omnipresent. Google shows 15+ million hits. One source says it was the most written cliché of 2006. Otherwise respectable people use it like Sarah Palin used "ya know," and chances are you'll hear it several times per meeting -- if you don't just run away to get to the end of your day without screaming.

2. Out of Pocket:
This means you were on company business and using your own funds. But people increasingly use it when they are unreachable, on vacation, or even just in the restroom and away from their Blackberry you don't email from there, right?. Instead, just say "away." Otherwise I will keep imagining a giant pocket somewhere that you couldn't get yourself back into.

1. Individual:
The five-syllable "Individual" reduces us to police speak, "The individual exited the vehicle" instead of "He got out of the car." Like the word "troop" for "soldier," it's a way to distance the speaker from actual people, which is potentially useful if you want to say "30,000 troops were lost," which sounds far less bloody than "30,000 soldiers died." In business, "individual" gives me a similar chill. Especially in the phrase that unites two words from this list: "We value the individual." We all know what that means.

What about you? What words and phrases make you want to lunge at the throat of the co-worker who utters them? Or do you think this is all too nitpicky, and that it is folks like me who make you crazy?


Excellence is not a Destination but a Continuous Journey that Never Ends.