Work/life again

Since the original work/life balance post, I've gotten a lot of email.

One person told me how her boss was not pleased that folks were 'forced' to not work on Good Friday. Another told me how his boss was shocked that a fellow on his team actually took parental leave.

Most (not all) of the stories reflected the struggle folks feel they have in convincing management that one should be allowed to do the bare minimum in keeping health/family/friends/outside activities going.

That's sad. There is so much education, publicity and wellness workplace programs that one would think we'd progressed.

Mentors - are you addressing/discussing this issue with your mentorees? Where is it on your/their agenda?

Top 10 tips for successful networking & mentoring

1 - Take care of yourself - eat more fruit and veg and get enough sleep
2 - Smile more
3 - Say please and thanks
4 - Listen when others are speaking
5 - Ask for advice and offer to help
6 - Provide introductions between your acquaintances
7 - Be honest and considerate
8 - Be consistent
9 - Remember the world is small
10 - Make it a choice vs a knee-jerk reaction

I have an idea...

We all give advice and offer opinions. We do so freely and widely. We're flattered when someone asks for our thoughts. We sometimes make recommendations with no prompting.

If you're like me, you may have days of meetings filled with folks offering opinions and ideas. Most of them are good. Some of them are worth implementing.

I wonder how silent the room would fall if we put one caveat in front of such well-intentioned thoughts:
Don't offer an idea you're not willing to take action on yourself.

I can hear the pins dropping now...