It’s Time to Say Goodbye to Hello

Every year it is suggested that certain words be retired from our language. If it hasn’t already been nominated, I suggest we stop using “hello.”

No, I haven’t lost my mind.

This is actually a contextual thing.

I don’t want to take such a warm and wonderful word out of general use, one we use umpteen times a day when greeting people on the phone, in e-mails, or in person.

“Hello” has a permanent place in our language (and in my heart).

What I want to see become quick history is the other version:

It’s a Great Time For Boomers

If you’re in the Baby Boomer generation I hope you feel the way I do — that it’s a great time to be in the workforce.

Sure, some changes are more difficult than others to accept, and technology can be a challenge, but the generational makeup is in our favor.

Jerry, reduce dosage

I can hear some people say, “Don’t abuse your prescription medicine, are you crazy — the generational makeup is against us.”

Well, it would be if the Gen Y (aka Millennials, Gen “We”) crowd was more like the Gen X-ers, but in reality they’re more like Boomers.

For Zen Habits Readers…Some Afterthoughts

Welcome to the Zen Habits readers who clicked over after reading my post on Five Strategies For Surviving a Tough Boss.

Since finishing that article I’ve been thinking how the problem could be avoided from the very beginning. Would it be possible to create an environment where your manager would know — right from the start — that you would not be an easy target for unfair treatment or aggression?

There is. Like anything else, it will take some work but…

Force Leadership on People When You Have to

Imagine that you own a business and have poured years into the development of a successor, but the closer you get to the transition of power this person shows only moderate interest in assuming the leadership role.

Add in that this is a family member so the thought of developing another person, just in case the heir apparent changed his/her mind, was an option seldom considered at all.

Yet, here you are at a time when you figured you would have your plan solidly in place and you could prepare for the next stage of your career and life — and it’s not even close.

What would you do?

New Office Etiquette: Ear Buds (and the greater meaning)

Every day I go into the office I learn something new. Today was an office etiquette lesson.

Our admin manager is under 30, and I’m not sure if she’s a very young Gen Xer or an old Gen Y (aka Millennial, Gen “We”); while her assistant is definitely a Y. Two very nice young women, and both adding value to our company.

Like most other offices they sit right at the front and greet any guests who come in, but in our case there are few visitors and the bulk of their work is a mixture of tasks that the rest of the team requires. Much of this is database work and both like to plug ear buds into iTunes, and do the job with…

You Can’t Scare Workers Into Long Term High Performance

Woe is Bill. You see, he’s a manager who is stuck in the 1960s and who believes that you can get workers to perform at a high level if they’re fearful of losing their jobs.

While Bill has worked for several companies in his career as a hotel food and beverage manager, he still buys in to the 1960s employment scenario. He still thinks he can strongarm workers and scare them into performing up to expectations. Bill suffers from …