Fast Company says my boss is like a monkey, a dog… maybe even a steer

Doggie tricksQuick post, but my friend Kerra told me to pick up the current Fast Company magazine, which features a great article on how we can manage our bosses to get the desired working relationship.

Bosses are tough. I’ve worked for yellers, bullies, silent types, huggers, mentors, and complete goof-offs. Right now, I now face the extraordinary rewards and challenges — mostly rewards, in case Dan is reading (haha) — of working for one of my best friends. No matter how great the boss, though, we’ve all been in situations where we’re not entirely happy with how our boss treats us and wish we could change it.

According to Fast Company, we can change our boss’ behavior by doing one thing: treat them like animals.

Dan and Chip Heath propose that we use the techniques of exotic animal trainers to manage our bosses and create the work environment we need. They suggest that we ignore bad behavior, reward good behavior, and stay consistent.

It makes sense to me. I don’t have any experience with exotic animals, but I grew up with pets (three dogs, a flock of ducks, a cockatoo, rabbit, cat, and even a show steer — yes a cow), and the techniques they recommend were the only way we could get the animals to do anything.

At work, it makes sense especially because many of the supervisors we encounter are continually learning how to manage and lead while facing pressure and deadlines from their bosses. We have to make sure their learning process includes how to deal with us in order to keep us happy and get top results.

So the next time my boss does something I don’t like, I’ll try to think of him like Mooey, my old show steer. By ignoring bad behavior, rewarding the good, and staying consistent, it should work. But be careful, even the most carefully trained animals can unexpectedly cause serious harm.

April 23, 2008 | Filed Under Blog, Career

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Political job posting in NC

Some former coworkers passed this along to me:

The Obama campaign is looking to hire North Carolina Field Organizers to come be a part of history.

Field Organizers will be responsible for:
- Helping to register new voters and lead a statewide voter registration drive
- Recruiting and managing a team of volunteers to assist identifying Obama supporters
- Helping organize meetings and events within different constituency groups in your area
- Organize and execute an early vote program
- Helping prepare and run a GOTV (Get Out the Vote) program in your area in the week leading up to the May 6th North Carolina primary

Requirements:
- Previous campaign experience is a plus but not required
- Willingness to work long hours and seven days a week
- Must be able to provide your own transportation

Interested parties should e-mail ncobamajobs@gmail.com.

April 3, 2008 | Filed Under Blog

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