by Fredia Woolf | Aug 25, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Management
From my experience working with leaders of all kinds, I have noticed many different styles and approaches can be effective depending on the context, situation, organization or personalities involved. But, there seem to be four essential characteristics that always... by Fredia Woolf | Jul 20, 2011 | Advice, Job Seekers, Management
The dog days of summer are upon us. Work – or seeking work – must continue, but we would rather be sitting under a tree or playing in the water. It is hard to feel stressed, overwhelmed or under pressure when the temperature is hovering around ninety degrees. ... by Fredia Woolf | Jul 7, 2011 | Job Seekers, Management
Independence Day got me thinking about the meaning of the word independence, which led me to wonder if I could come up with a strong, positive leadership trait for each letter of the alphabet. Here is my unscientific, yet empirical, list of qualities consistently... by Fredia Woolf | Jun 21, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Management
Are you one of those people who gets excited by new ways of doing things? Or, do you get frightened and prefer to stick with the tried and true? Does your organization management constantly try to look around corners and make pre-emptive changes in anticipation of... by Fredia Woolf | Jun 7, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
The ninth annual D: All Things Digital Conference took place last week, and it was refreshing to read about a world in which leaders are forward-thinking and visionary, where people are enthusiastic and optimistic, and where innovation and excitement about the future... by Fredia Woolf | May 24, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Management
For the past decade, I have had regular conversations with a woman who leads an academic department in a US university. She was a long-time insider suffering under the yoke of the previous leader and thrilled to be appointed chair of the department when he retired. ... by Fredia Woolf | May 10, 2011 | Management, Uncategorized
What’s the point of any organization? “To make money,” says the businessperson. “To fulfill our mission,” says the non-profit person. And so begins the false debate that keeps the two worlds separate and often leads to missed opportunities and wasted potential. If... by Fredia Woolf | Apr 26, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
In a recent spring-cleaning effort, I decided to clear out some of the clutter and unnecessary detail that clogs my brain. My desk was clear (for a day, at any rate), my inbox was empty (for five minutes) and, as I started looking for some common themes in my client... by Fredia Woolf | Apr 12, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
I talk to people about their work all the time. For one reason, I am curious to hear their stories. For another, it’s what I do for a living. I talk to people at the beginning, middle and end of their careers. I talk to people who are flying high and have been... by Fredia Woolf | Apr 5, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Management
Last week, we looked at some myths about Performance Management that reflected both poor performance and poor management. Today, we will discuss how traditional approaches to Performance Management are not necessarily the best ways to judge employee effectiveness or... by Fredia Woolf | Mar 29, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Management
Whether receiving or administering a performance review (a.k.a. the centerpiece of a Performance Management system), such a review is often anticipated and received with as much enthusiasm as an unanesthetized root canal. Those who feel this way are the people who... by Fredia Woolf | Jan 25, 2011 | Advice, Job Seekers
“I am not blessed with patience,” said Kevin when he stepped into my office. He had been laid off from a Vice-president’s position seven weeks ago, and he was feeling restless, scattered and out of control. At the end of our time together, he was calmer, more... by Fredia Woolf | Jan 18, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
In my last post, I said I was going to start the year by walking you through five critical elements to master if you want to advance your career. They are the following: 1. Organize, synthesize and crystallize your accomplishments and the key themes of your career. 2.... by Fredia Woolf | Jan 7, 2011 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
The New Year is always filled with tips for a fresh start for your career. But, what if you are not in the mood for all of the wholesome advice coming your way at this time of year? What if you are fed up with your situation, but an artificial date is no reason to... by Fredia Woolf | Dec 24, 2010 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
No matter how senior you are in your organization or how secure you believe is your position, you would do well to take an entrepreneurial attitude toward your career. It is comforting to believe others will take care of you, and it’s easy to become either... by Fredia Woolf | Dec 17, 2010 | Advice, Job Seekers
What are the reasons we work? – To earn money – To be a contributing member of society – To have an outlet to use our education, talents and skills – To give some structure to our days – To give us a place to... by Fredia Woolf | Dec 10, 2010 | Advice, Job Seekers, Management
Losing your job must be one of life’s more painful experiences. Whether you are the subject of what HR specialists like to call a large scale reduction in force or you fall victim of cost containment or a reduction in funding, the dramatic, unchosen transition from... by Fredia Woolf | Dec 3, 2010 | Featured, Job Seekers, Management
Where do you stand on the now famous publicizing of embarrassing diplomatic gossip? Is it a treacherous, malicious act of betrayal of those who spoke frankly under the cover of diplomatic immunity by those who revealed what they said? Or, is it a welcome... by Fredia Woolf | Nov 19, 2010 | Advice, Management
Back in the day, when Facebook, Linked In, Twitter and all the other social media platforms were just a twinkle in someone’s eye – can you believe it, I am talking about ten years or so ago? – people used to have to know good, old-fashioned communication skills. Such... by Fredia Woolf | Nov 12, 2010 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
I spent some time this week listening to the sage advice of marketing gurus who share the mission to teach small business owners and operators how to attract more clients. As I listened, I realized that what they were talking about is applicable, with some tweaking,...