Millennial Minded

Let's say you have a client call and a person on your team underperforms. So much so, that you worry it's jeopardizing the relationship with the client. Then, your boss asks for an update…

"How'd the call go?" she asks.

You like this co-worker. They're a good person. You don't want to throw them under the bus or harm their reputation, but you're also aware that this behavior can't become a habit. What do you do?

We sit down with our CEO for 15 minutes each week to get practical business advice so we can advance in our careers. On this episode, we chat about what to do if you're going to snitch on your coworker...

Business is run by people. If you don't know anyone, it's going to be tough to find new clients. That means you've got to get out in the world and meet people. So...what are the keys to making a good first impression?

We sit down with our CEO for 15 minutes each week to get practical business advice so we can advance in our careers. On this episode, we chat about what to do if you want to make a good first impression...

Let's say you're known as the person who overlooks deadlines. Or you're always five-minutes late to meetings. Maybe you're shaking your head, "not me!" but consider this: you may be blinded by your own bias. Lucky for you we've got some tips so you can start being aware of your professional blindspots.

We sit down with our CEO for 15 minutes each week to get practical business advice so we can advance in our careers. On this episode we chat about what to do if you want to change your reputation at work...

Key Takeaways

• Don't make assumptions from one workplace to another
• At 30, 60, and 90 days get feedback from you manager so you can make improvements
• Pay attention to the non-verbals of the boss
• Everyone needs at least two mentors
• Analyze the work habits of your best coworkers and try to implement them for yourself
• If you're in the negative, you have to overcompensate in order to get to the positive
• If you don't know how to do it, ask

Ok, we know why work isn't a democracy. Hierarchy keeps a business moving. But what happens when someone asks you to do something that isn't in your job description? Do you just do it because you're adhering to the existing hierarchy? Or do you push back?

Potential trick question: Is there anyone who doesn't tackle projects outside of their job description?

We sit down with our CEO for 15 minutes each week to get practical business advice so we can advance in our careers. In this episode, we learn what to do if it isn't in your job description...

Key Takeaways

• If it's something illegal, you should feel comfortable saying, "No"
• Pushing back on something needs to happen via a face-to-face conversation
• Approach your manager with evidence in hand

Influence is often boiled down to expertise. Be the best at what you do and you will have influence. So, if you're an accountant, be the best at crunching numbers. If you're in PR, have the best media relationships.

That's certainly true, but there's another type of influence. Some, like John Oliver on HBO's Last Week Tonight, call it "soft power."

We sit down with our CEO for 15 minutes each week to get practical business advice so we can advance in our careers. On this episode, we chat about what to do if you want to gain influence at work...

Key Takeaways

• You have so many outlets at your company where you can be influential – don't be so hung up on the title
• BUT if you want to gain influence do the following things:
• • Participate with other teams at your company to prohibit siloing
  • Start by getting to know more people
  • Be helpful (without expecting public recognition for it)
  • Learn things that fall outside of your job description because it provides future opportunity for you
  • Be generous in offering up credit where it is due

Disagreement at work can be good. If everyone nodded their head yes at every crossroads, then a business wouldn't progress. Critical discussion is a positive force for businesses (for the most part).

But how do you disagree with your boss? Keep in mind this is the person who controls your compensation.

We sit down with our CEO for 15 minutes each week to get practical business advice so we can advance in our careers. On this episode, we learn what to do if you disagree with your boss...

Key Takeaways

• If you have a boss who is unwilling to receive input, don't put effort into offering it. Focus on learning as much as you can and then go find another gig
• Set aside some time with your boss to discuss your reservations surrounding the business at hand. Say it quickly and persuasively
• Deliver your objections free of emotions
• You can't throw up a red flag on everything. Choose your battles

Let's say your boss asks you to handle something you've never done before (e.g. start managing the company Instagram). You have minimal experience creating content or managing a posting schedule but you're aware that this a great opportunity to grow your professional skill-set. You don't want to say no to your boss, but you're hesitant to reveal that you're no Instagram wizard.

What should you do?

We sit down with our CEO for 15 minutes each week to get practical business advice so we can advance in our careers. In this episode, we learn what to do if your boss asks you to do something totally new...

Key Takeaways

• Hammer out the logistics of the assignment with your manager
• If it's an existing task, maybe shadow the current owner for more info
• Express enthusiasm for learning something new and at the same time gather info to establish guidelines for yourself
• You should feel comfortable telling your boss you've never done something before so they can at least point you in the right direction
• If you're learning something new and you're lost for where to start...Google it

Imagine a situation in which your managers disagree about how to handle a request from a client. One manager tells you to respond by telling them your team is on it. The other manager tells you to respond without committing to anything.

You're stuck between a rock and a hard place, right? Either way you're going to piss someone off.

We sit down with our CEO for 15 minutes each week to get practical business advice so we can advance in our careers. On this episode we learn what to do if your managers disagree...

Key Takeaways

• You're responsible for clarity around your work
• When you join a new team, ask for the standards
• Provide neutral information and ask for your managers to provide clarity on next steps
• Protect your butt: make sure you have everything in writing

Would your parents object if you left a stable career for a more risky business venture? Would they see the value in starting a food blog or becoming an Instagram celebrity?

Even if your parents support your every move, it's likely that what they expect from your career differs from what you want in a career. Companies didn't always offer a work from home policy or allow people to bring their dog to work.

We sit down with our CEO for 15 minutes each week to get practical business advice so we can advance in our careers. On this episode we chat about how to talk to your parents about what you do to pay the bills, especially if they're unsure about your career...

Key Takeaways

• Living at home to save money makes a lot of sense – but you better be pitching in and helping around the house
• Have a conversation with your parents about the rules of engagement now that you are officially an adult
• Engage in open conversation with your parents
• Explain to them how you're going to support yourself
• Bring specifics to your parents. Find ways for them to contribute and help you if that's what they want to do
• If you're living at home and not towing their line, be ready with a plan to leave

You hear people say, "it's good to be busy," a lot. It's a sign that you're a valuable asset to your company. But what about those moments when you're so busy that it feels like you're underwater? How do you handle the stress? And what can you do to give yourself some breathing room so you don't end up messing up?

We sit down with our CEO for 15 minutes each week to get practical business advice so we can advance in our careers. On this episode, we learn what to do if your life is a scrambled mess of to-dos...

Key Takeaways

• If you're going to sort out your priorities, begin by knowing what all of your to do's are
• Alert your team lead ASAP if you're feeling like you're not going to be able to finish your work on time
• If you're completing a new task, allow yourself 3x as much time to complete it
• Before you claim you've got too much on your plate, figure out why you're not able to get your work done
• Before you have a conversation with your boss about being overwhelmed, make sure you're not wasting time in your day (i.e. getting coffee, taking a long lunch, showing up late, leaving early)
• If you're trying to create a to-do list, find the method that works for you