Spilling the beenz

Self-confidence. The most fragile thing on earth. I have seen the most self-confident, capable people develop cracks in their self-image, doubting their ability to handle the simplest of tasks. Sadly, our image of ourselves and our abilities is tied to the way others perceive us. So if you get passed over for a well-deserved promotion time and again, or see others who are clearly far less capable than you outshine you, its only natural that in time you will begin to question your image of yourself. I have seen this disease strike across all ages and occupations - teenage students, seasoned professionals, fresh graduates... The best way to take this on, I find, is to have a set of criteria by which you measure yourself. These need to be very specific and clear, so you don't leave room for delusion! Every now & then measure yourself by this yardstick and do the necessary course-correction as required. After all, you are the only one who knows what you are shaping yourself to ...

I'm reading so much about retaining employees in a time of crisis; who holds the 'power' now - the employer or the employee...etc. Its not rocket science. At any time, all people really need in order to be actively engaged, is to know they are important to management. As people, not just drones who get the job done. Be flexible about timings when it comes to kid related stuff - PTA meetings, doctor visits, etc; have an open door policy that lets them feel their opinion counts and they have the freedom to air it; make sure they are your brand ambassadors - let them be your test groups, get the product first, get all company announcements before the media.......simple things that yield results. Loyal employees will stick with you through the thick and thin, if they know its being appreciated. Being taken for granted sucks, in personal relationships as well as professional ones. Talk to your people and be honest. Take them along with you for the ride, whether its an aerial dir...