With job security not so secure these days, bucking authority in your job could lead to job layoff.  Employees don’t want to be fired. so their suppression and even fear of their boss leads to feeling undervalued and ultimately job dissatisfaction.  Even entrepreneurs need to know the when and how of conversations in critical business relationships.  So how do you know when you can speak up or when it’s best to be quiet? 

If you’re a manager, director or supervisor, chances are you’ll have more opportunity for input than someone further down the chain.  But not always.  Some bosses have a great need to control and if you’re an excellent employee doing well they may feel inadequate next to you, even try to undermine your efforts, as well as not listening to your input.  If you’re confident in your self, your job role and the tasks at hand, then consider the following:

1.  Can you risk losing your job?  You should always have a minimum of three months salary saved in your bank account that’s enough to cover all expenses at any time.   This is security in many senses, including a useful backup should you decide to change jobs.  If you don’t have those finances, consider what other recourse you could rely on, should you be fired.  This is a risk that you’ll be taking, but take it with advance preparation.

2.  How important is your boss’s influence and interactions with you regarding your job performance and job satisfaction?  While no one should work in negative surroundings, if you have little interaction with your boss and recognize it’s their general style of communication, you may decide to leave matters lie and not contest their behavior.  A simple straight and directly spoken comment such as, ”John, I hear you and I’ll take care of it,” may get the point across.  However, if you can pleasantly smile it off, and go about your business, then this is obviously a first and easier approach.

3.  Is this a particularly bad time for your boss personally or professionally?  We all have periods of our life that are better or worse.   It’s possible he or she is dealing with a personal crisis you’re unaware of.  See what you can find out without talking with them directly and consider if you can wade through a short-period with them that may be difficult, yet you know the high tides will soon recede and your boss will return to his/her professional demeanor.

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If you’re showering and spot a spider, do you ignore it, quickly flush it down the drain, or  stop and get out of the shower to carry it to safety?

As I let the one I’d discovered find its way to spider heaven down the drain, I was reminded how similar interruptions occur while you work that force your attention.  A phone call, a technical problem, an unexpected meeting, a friend or family member in need, an errand or project you’d forgotten you had to do.  Ignoring them is rarely a viable option.  You often have to make a quick judgment as to whether you’ll stop to take immediate and brief action on it, schedule time to attend to it later, or get more fully engaged to complete it and possibly not get back to what you were first doing.

All spiders have venom, but it’s not always harmful to humans.  Similarly, distractions can hurt your progress, but not if you have a plan for your day that includes flex time to handle changes.  Try to schedule a few less things each day so that you can accomplish them and not be upset when you’re pulled away to do something unexpected.

What is your working style and how do you manage your time?  Email info@creatingatwill.com and ask for our free .pdf assessment to find out how you work best.  (For fun: read info on common household spiders)

Most successful entrepreneurs and women in management can’t afford to waste time during their work hours.  But they often don’t know what causes them to lose time in their day.  As both an Entrepreneur and one who manages my business, plus the service consultants and vendors who work for me, I know what you’re up against.  Here are some tips I’ve learned:

Bad Taste buy Flannel Pajamas release 1.  Loyalty to the task.  If you’re loyal to the work you’re doing you’re more likely to maintain your focus and get the job done.  Ever had something to do that you had 0 interest in.  Chances are you put it off, dragged it out or got by with minimum input.  All time wasters.  Not all projects are stimulating.  Find the kernel of interest and regain your commitment to the project and voila—you’ll get into it and get to work!

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download Rollin with the Nines movie 2.  Be well rested.  You can be unaware you’re distracted and causing delays in your work product because you simply need your rest and have unclear thinking.  Give up the late night movies (a habit I’m trying to break) and get those 8 hours of replenishing sleep.  Otherwise, you’re likely to waste time fixing mistakes or just lose time from slowing down.

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3.  Thinking you know. I’ve had times I’ve received partial info on a project and headed down the path, only to have to retrace my steps to pick up what I missed.  Don’t waste time backtracking.  Whenever you think you have all the info stop and ask yourself before proceeding, “What else?”  “What else?”  “What else?”   Don’t be stuck out in the field with a map to nowhere.

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You may not know what drains your energy, and hence your time.  See Ann McGee-Cooper’s book, You Don’t Have to Go Home Exhausted and take the Brain Dominance and Energy assessment.  Then work on reviving in your weaker areas or delegating those tasks where you lose energy.  You can also let coaching help you focus and manage your time effectively.  Call us for our Time Saver’s program, 2-45 min. sessions at our special rate for blog readers.  Act today!  310.645.2874.  CreatingAtWill.com

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