How to manage a micromanaging boss The key to setting boundaries with your superiors is to keep an open line of communication and to think like a leader yourself, writes leadership expert Stacy Pollack. Come prepared to work at meetings, and aim to lead conversations with your boss instead of being led. Glassdoor (1/2)Focus on the M.I.T. to be more productive Increase productivity by focusing on one task at a time and doing the most important thing (M.I.T.) first, suggests leadership consultants Karin Hurt and David Dye. Getting the M.I.T. done first and then moving on to the next to get more done will improve the quality of the work as well. Let's Grow Leaders (1/3)
Earn a free year of digital access to NYT Cooking Get cooking with The New York Times. You'll receive unlimited access to over 19,000 Times-tested recipes, helpful guides, and the wit, wisdom and inspiration of Times food writers. Refer SmartBrief to 5 colleagues and enjoy a free year of unlimited access to NYT Cooking. Your Referral Link:smartbrief.com/YOURCAREER/?referrerId=hCgswturix&campaign=ad_referral_NYTcook
ADVERTISEMENT
Making the Connection
Networking is best way to get a job in 2019, executive says The best way to get a job in 2019 is nothing new; networking is the key to landing interviews and beating the artificial intelligence that first sifts through all of the resumes. Getting a referral from someone is "an instant credibility builder," says Laura Cooper, senior VP of people at Bluecore. Fast Company online (1/2)
The American Federation of Government Employees has sued the government on behalf of federal employees who must work without pay through the shutdown. Heidi Burakiewicz, an attorney representing the employees, says withholding pay violates the Fair Labor Standards Act. HuffPost (12/31)
Your Next Challenge
Major companies paying for employees' college degrees upfront Some companies, such as Walmart, Disney and Taco Bell, are footing the bill upfront for employees to go to school to start or complete a degree program. It's all about creating "upward mobility" to allow employees to get ahead in their careers, Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger said. The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (1/2)Top soft and hard skills companies want in 2019 Some of the top soft skills, based on LinkedIn data, include creativity and the ability to be persuasive. Data suggests that hard skills are also important heading into 2019, such as cloud computing intelligence and expertise in machine learning. Fortune (1/2)
Balancing Yourself
Get to the source of the problem causing burnout Taking a vacation is a short-term attempt at fixing burnout, but it doesn't work in the long term and can even make the problem worse once back on the job, suggests Jim Link, chief HR officer at Randstad North America. Talk to your boss about the issue and get to the source of the problem to eventually resolve the issue. NBC News (1/2)
During a recent space mission, Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers meant to contact NASA's Johnson Space Center by dialing "9-011" while he orbited Earth; however, Kuiper typed "911" and mistakenly called the emergency response service. He joked on a radio program that he was "a little disappointed that they had not come up." Newsweek (1/2)
The secret of joy in work is contained in one word -- excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.
