Family

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There are three mutuals you need to have with your employer, and if you don't have them, then you could find yourself in more than a few situations where you're really unhappy, especially when interest rates, inflation, and cost of living are up, salaries are going down, turnover is crazy, and everyone's frustrated.

You want to have three mutuals with an employer because that will allow you to build a solid partnership (not a relationshipâyou should never treat employers like friends or family!). Here are the three mutuals you should live and die by in your career, and why they're so important...

Trust, Respect, And Benefit: 3 Mutuals For A True Partnership

The first mutual you need with your employer is trust. The second mutual is respect. And the third mutual is benefit.

When you have mutual trust, mutual respect, and mutual benefit, you have a true partnership, not a relationship. They're not your friends. They're not your family. You have a true and equitable partnership, and that is what you're always striving for.

Now, if you're sitting in this partnership and all of a sudden one day something feels off or you're not happy, take a step back and ask yourself, "What's changed?"

Did the trust factor change?
Did the respect factor change?
Did the benefit factor change?

Be honest with yourself. Then, if you can identify what it is, have a conversation with your boss and talk about how the mutual trust was broken or the mutual respect was broken or the mutual benefit was broken. Calmly and rationally talk about how you can get it back on track to an equitable partnership. And if you can't, then guess what? You know it's time for you to go find your next partnership (your next job). No hard feelings. You gave it a try. You tried to fix the partnership. The partnership didn't work. You're moving on.

When I coach Work It DAILY members, they learn to take the emotion out of this situation. They look at the partnership. They build an equitable partnership. They nurture that partnership. And if for some reason it changes, they try to fix it. And if it doesn't get fixed, they go find a new partnership.

If you adopt this mindset in your career, your career will change for the better. You will have so much more power over your career success. But let me let you in on a little secret. You don't just naturally get there. You don't just set out and go, "Okay, from now on, I'm just going to hold out until I get one of these partnerships with the three mutuals." You need to put in the work. You need to change your approach to job search. You need to know your unique value add. You have to put in the time to completely shift yourself from being an employee who feels like they have golden handcuffs on to being a business-of-one who knows how to run their business-of-one and get the trust, respect, and benefit they want and deserve.

You do not need to be a victim. You can be the hero of your career story. And it starts with building that partnership with your employer. It starts with mutual trust, respect, and benefit.

Good luck, and go get 'em!

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3 Mutuals You Need For Career Success …

How To (Not) Talk About Your Job Search Stress During The Holidays

The holidays can be really stressful for job seekers, especially for those who are between gigs right now (I won't call it "unemployed"). It's stressful because you're with your family and everybody asks, "So how's your job search going?" or "Where are you in your job search?"

Family and friends also tend to give a lot of really horrible, unsolicited advice on how to look for a job:

"Well, you should walk right in and knock on doors."
"Are you sending out 100 applications a day?"

These are bad job search techniques, and yet these people likely haven't looked for work in a while or are super old school. And while they're trying to be well-intentioned, all they're doing is stressing you out.

Set Boundaries With Your Family During The Holidays

So, as someone who's been coaching people through this for many years, my advice is to be prepared to set your boundaries. When somebody asks about your job search, you can say...

"I love that you're thinking of me. I promise you, my job search is under control. I'm taking a well-deserved day off today to celebrate with family and just want to talk about other things. But I promise you, I'm working with a career coach and all is good.

By setting boundaries, you're shutting them down. You're letting them know you appreciate their kind thoughts, but you're not going there today.

It's important for you to set boundaries with family, friends, and anyone else in your life who is bound to ask about your job search. People have to understand that they are overstepping and being inappropriate.

They always say people treat you the way you let them. So be prepared. Have that answer, rehearse it, practice it in the mirror. Make sure you've got a smile on your face so you don't look angry or defensiveâbut shut the questions down.

If they ask you again, or they start to give you advice, or they don't listen to you, say, "You know, I really don't feel like talking about this right now. I'm just trying to enjoy my day." And if they still keep talking about it, turn on your heel and walk away. We've got to learn to stand up for ourselves.

Good luck with your holiday job search! Go get 'em!

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How To (Not) Talk About Your Job …

Balancing the demands of a career while nurturing a family is a juggling act that countless parents face every day. The modern world presents working parents with a unique set of challenges, from managing time efficiently to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. What can busy working parents do to excel both professionally and personally? How can they effectively balance work and family?

We recently asked our leading executives for their best tips for working parents.

Here are their responses...

Ana Smith, Leadership Development & Learning Strategist

Working parents in the digital age face unique challenges, but also have a plethora of opportunities and tools at their disposal. Here are some of the best tips for navigating this landscape:

1. Embrace Technology

Use digital tools for organization and productivity, such as digital calendars, to-do lists, or apps specifically designed for families like Cozi or Trello.
Engage in virtual telehealth appointments, parent-teacher conferences, or tutoring to save travel time.

2. Set Boundaries

Designate a specific workspace in your home. When you're in this space, your family knows you're "at work."
Set specific "digital-free" times to fully engage with your family, devoid of work emails or distractions.

3. Educate Yourself and Your Kids About Digital Safety

Discuss online privacy, cyberbullying, and the importance of strong, unique passwords.
Use parental controls when necessary, but also teach your children about responsible internet usage.

4. Prioritize Quality Time

Even if you're using technology together, such as watching a movie or playing an online game, ensure youâre engaging in ways that foster closeness.
Set aside tech-free zones or times in the home to ensure uninterrupted family moments.

5. Promote a Healthy Tech-Life Balance for Children

Limit screen time and encourage physical activities, hobbies, and reading.
Use tech as an educational tool, not just entertainment.

6. Stay Connected

With the convenience of video calls, working parents can remain connected with their children even when they're away. A quick midday call can work wonders.
Use technology to stay involved in your child's school life, such as accessing online grade portals or school communication apps.

7. Self-Care and Mental Health

Utilize digital platforms for self-care and mental health, such as meditation apps, online therapy, or digital fitness classes.
Recognize when you need a digital detox, and take short breaks away from screens.

8. Continuous Learning

Digital landscapes are constantly evolving. Dedicate some time to learn about new tools, apps, or platforms that can make your life easier as a working parent.

9. Outsource When Needed

Consider using digital services like grocery deliveries, virtual assistants, or online tutoring to help manage your time more effectively.

10. Maintain an Open Dialogue

As children grow, their relationship with technology will change. Keep the lines of communication open and encourage them to share their online experiences, concerns, and discoveries with you.

11. Lead by Example

Children often mimic the behavior of their parents. Model good digital habits and a healthy relationship with technology.

The digital age certainly presents challenges for working parents, but by leveraging the opportunities it offers and setting boundaries, you can promote a balanced and fulfilling family life.

Ana Smith helps people & organizations achieve their full talent potential by developing and co-creating people strategies and customized solutions, and turning them into impactful outcomes and collaborative relationships, using coaching as the "red thread."

Michael Willis, Sports Business Operations Executive

Dad holds his baby while working from home

The NFL has always been committed to fostering a workplace that encourages work-life balance and supports the unique challenges faced by working parents. Here are some compassionate suggestions for navigating the demands of our dynamic industry while ensuring a healthy family life:

1. Flexible Scheduling: Encourage managers to embrace flexible work arrangements that allow parents to adjust their schedules when needed. This can significantly assist with managing family responsibilities and job commitments.

2. Parental Leave Policies: Ensure our policies are comprehensive and accommodating. Offering ample time off for new parents is vital in helping them transition into their new roles.

3. Remote Work Options: Consider allowing parents to work remotely, at least part of the time, as it can provide the flexibility they need to effectively balance their family and professional lives.

4. Childcare Support: Explore partnerships with local childcare providers to offer discounts or on-site daycare options. This can ease the burden on working parents and provide peace of mind.

5. Mentorship and Networking: Facilitate mentorship programs and networking opportunities for working parents within the organization. Connecting with colleagues who have faced similar challenges can be invaluable.

6. Employee Resource Groups: Promote and support employee resource groups (ERGs) focused on working parents. These groups can provide a sense of community and a platform to discuss shared experiences and solutions.

7. Wellness Initiatives: Emphasize the importance of mental and physical well-being by offering wellness programs, stress-management resources, and counseling services for parents dealing with the juggling act.

8. Clear Communication: Encourage open and transparent communication between employees and supervisors. This helps in setting realistic expectations and finding mutually beneficial solutions.

9. Professional Development: Ensure that career growth and development opportunities are accessible to all employees, regardless of their parental status. This encourages retention and motivation.

10. Recognition and Appreciation: Recognize working parents' hard work and dedication within the organization. Simple gestures of appreciation can go a long way in boosting morale.

Incorporating these strategies into our workplace culture demonstrates our commitment to supporting working parents and contributes to a more inclusive, empathetic, and motivated workforce. Together, we can create an environment where all employees, including working parents, can thrive in the fast-paced sports business industry.

Michael Willis has 18+ years of experience working with accounting & sports organizations and has managed P&Ls of $10M - $125M+ with budgets of $3M-$50M+. He worked for the NFL for 22 1/2 years, mainly with the game officials working on the financial/accounting side of the business.

Lisa Perry, Global Marketing Executive

Working mom helps her child with homework while working remotely

As a mother of two girls and a brand marketing executive, I know the intricacies of balancing work and family and the numerous challenges it brings. âBalanceâ often felt like an elusive concept as I constantly made sacrifices, for work, family time, or personal well-being. Iâve been through the extremesâworking relentlessly, traveling extensively, and grappling with the guilt of being away from my children to declining work commitments to ensure Iâm present for girlsâ milestones and bedtime routines. Achieving harmonious work-life balance was a perpetual battle.

If you are a working parent, here are some tips that Iâve used that can help you make the balancing act a little easier:

Prioritize Family: Spend quality time with your family to strengthen bonds and nurture happy, healthy children. Make family time a non-negotiable priority.
Self-Care: As women, we often overlook self-care and end up stretched thin. Whether itâs a leisurely lunch with a friend, a spa day, regular exercise, or simply getting ample rest, taking care of yourself is crucial for mental well-being and resilience.
Delegate Family Responsibilities: Consider delegating tasks if youâve shouldered most household chores as a working mom. Itâs okay if things arenât done your way; what matters is the quality time you gain with your family.
Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to unrealistic work expectations and establish clear boundaries. This not only helps you focus but also opens doors to new possibilities.
Open Communication: Maintain open communication with your boss and colleagues about your family responsibilities. A supportive work environment can make a significant difference in managing work and family life.
Time Management: Effectively managing your familyâs time by creating synchronized schedules that balance work, family, and personalized activities. Coordination and alignment are key.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Explore flexible work options like remote work or adjusted hours, if your job permits. These alternatives empower parents to meet their needs within a traditional 9-5 workweek.

Finding the right balance between work and family life is an ongoing journey. Adjustments are okay as your familyâs needs and work responsibilities change. If youâre eager to delve deeper into effective strategies, I invite you to explore my book How to Develop a Brand Strategy. Within its pages, youâll discover a comprehensive step-by-step guide to crafting a robust brand strategy that aligns seamlessly with your business objectives.

Remember, youâre not alone! With the right strategies and mindset, you can navigate the challenges of being a working parent while fostering a fulfilling life for yourself and your family.

Lisa Perry helps companies drive revenue by using consumer trends, insights, and data analytics to innovate their approach to marketing.

What are your best tips for working parents? Join the conversation inside Work It Daily's Executive Program.

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Executive Spotlight: The Best Tips For Working …

We all have career ups and downs throughout our life. In many cases, these ups and downs are just part of a natural progression. But in other cases, they are caused by factors out of our control. One thing that always helps during situations like these is kindness.

Whether it's kindness from a friend or kindness to yourself, it's the small acts of kindness that help us get through life's most difficult challenges. When going through a career challenge, these acts of kindness can make a huge difference:

Listen

Do you have a friend, family member, or former colleague going through a career crisis? Sometimes the best thing you can do is listen!

It's never a good idea for people to let things bubble up inside to the point where it consumes them. Everyone needs to vent sometimes.

However, there is a balance. While you want to lend an ear, you also don't want it to get to the point where the other person is feeling sorry for themselves and it turns into a pity party.

If you're able to offer advice based on your own personal experience, you should share it. But if you're not in a position to offer advice, try to offer some motivational words of encouragement or share a resource that may help.

Share Your Network

Young professional on laptop thinks about introducing two colleagues

You never know when a new connection may lead to a new career opportunity! With that in mind, think about the difference you could make in someone's life by introducing them to just one connection from your professional network.

Maybe you have a friend looking to break into the healthcare industry and you know the perfect professional to introduce them to. It doesn't have to be industry specific; sometimes particular people are just good resources and mentors for others.

Such introductions are usually made at networking events, but introducing connections through LinkedIn works just as well.

Share Content

Man on laptop shares content with his professional network to help others

Will live in an era where content is abundant and diverse, and similar to introducing a new connection, you never know when a single piece of content could have a positive impact on someone.

The best part about sharing content is the fact that it's easy. It's as simple as sharing an article on LinkedIn or writing your own.

Sometimes these industry and career-related articles can reach hundreds of people based on how many times they are shared. The information within the shared content could prove valuable to some. You never know!

Give A Reference

Woman on laptop writes a reference for a colleague

Obviously, you don't want to give a professional reference or LinkedIn endorsement to just anyone. But if the person asking is worthy of it, then it's a wonderful thing to do for someone.

A good resume and cover letter can get a person in the door for an interview, but once they're there it's how they handle the interview and their character that ultimately helps to set them apart from the competition,

Many employers use professional references as a way to get a sense of a person's work ethic and character. If you enjoyed working with someone and appreciated their work ethic, then giving them a reference will not only help them out, but it will make you feel good as well.

Pay It Forward

Co-workers share a laugh during a meeting after agreeing to buy coffee

It's important to remember that whenever someone helps you in your career, you should find a way to pay it forward, either to the person who helped you out or to someone else. This should work both ways; hopefully, someone who you helped out in their career will return the favor as well.

The act of paying it forwardâresponding to an act of kindness with another act of kindnessâis something that doesn't just apply to career, but to life.

Any act of kindness throughout the day can make a huge difference in someone's life. Even something as simple as paying for someone's coffee.

You can pay it forward by recommending Work It Daily to a friend.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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5 Acts Of Kindness To Help Get …

6 Ways To Deal With Family Asking About Your Job Search

If you're in the middle of a frustrating job search, the holidays can be the worst time of year for you. It may not exactly bring out the best in you when old Auntie June keeps asking why you haven't found a job yet. So, what should you tell your family and friends over the holidays (or at any get-together) when they badger you about your job search?

Before you pull out your hair, check out these tips from our experts:

1. Move Away From The Subject

When you're visiting with an old relative, there always seems to be that uncomfortable point in the conversation when you're asked about your "situation" with work. Instead of grinding your teeth and getting upset, politely tell Uncle Roy you appreciate his concern, assure him you're continuing your search, and tell him you'll let him know when you're situation changes for the better.

"Since it's the holiday season, [tell them] you would prefer for the time to enjoy their company rather than focusing on job search activities," says professional resume writer, Debra Wheatman.

"You can move away from the topic by shifting to something related to how they are doing and what is going on in their lives." Lisa Adams, job search strategist and speaker, says to go about changing the subject gently, as they are only asking about your search because they care. Here's how she handled the situation while her husband was in transition:

"I so appreciate you asking. We are doing fine. We have some things in the works but we are choosing not to discuss them at this time. When we have an offer and know where we will land, you will absolutely get the word."

Then, Adams suggests tactically moving on to asking about them. "Talking about light-hearted topics that make everyone laugh or smile is always good," she says. "Who couldn't use that? I'll tell a funny story about my youngest son who is a comedian by nature and is always doing something humorous. Give it a try."

2. Realize They Do It Because They Care

Woman announces her husband is looking for a new job

After being asked about your job search efforts for the fifth time, it can be hard to remember that your family is just trying to help. "See the question for what it truly is: care and concern for your well-being," says Ben Eubanks, founder of UpStartHR. "I remember getting tired of answering the question for people when I was job searching, but they only ask because they care about your career success. Use it as a chance to practice your elevator speech and enjoy the time with family and friends." So, even if it's hard, try to be patient and treat them with respect.

3. Make Them Feel Helpful

Family members ask about man's job search

Your friends and family probably have the best of intentions by asking about your job search, but it can be frustrating when they continue to badger you about your employment prospects. To keep the peace, thank them for checking in with you, but let them know that your job search is proving to be more challenging than you had hoped.

Amanda Haddaway, author of Destination Real World: Success After Graduation for New and Soon-to-Be College Graduates, suggests using their concern as a positive and asking them if they have any contacts in your field or know of any openings that might be in line with your skill set. "Chances are good they really do want to help, but don't know how," she says. "If you can engage them as a 'job search helper,' it might turn out to be a win-win situation."

4. Keep Your Answers Short, But Positive

When we say "short," we don't mean snappy, one-word answers. You can craft a short, to-the-point response that will satisfy most family members.

Leadership and management career coach Dorothy Tannahill-Moran says to keep your responses short and upbeat or they may slip into "problem-solving mode" if you aren't careful. "If they continue to probe after your short answer," she says, "remain consistent with short, upbeat responses. We often think under these circumstances that we need to get detailed but if you think about many other conversations, especially around Thanksgiving time (with loads of people), they are usually fairly superficial and short."

Don Goodman, a certified resume writer, suggests saying something like this: "It's going well, but I am being choosey about who I join next and I haven’t found the right firm yet."

5. Set Boundaries

Woman talks to her family about her job search

"The most important thing is to recognize you don't owe an explanation to anyone but your spouse about how your job search is going," says executive job search coach Cheryl Simpson. "You can and should set boundaries with your extended family and friends by making clear what you will and won't talk about." Simpson suggests saying something along the lines of: "I appreciate your concern and interest about my career search. I don't wish, however, to burden this gathering with details. Suffice it to say that my search is going well and I am pursuing a range of exciting opportunities."

6. Think About It from Their Perspective

"Questions like these can be frustrating to answer," says Kristin Johnson, a certified job search coach. "You probably feel as if you sound like a broken record." Once you think from their perspective, you'll be able to answer the question with a genuine, appreciative question in return. It might sound something like this (using an admin position as an example):

"I'm looking to put my support skills to use in an office setting in the automotive industry. I have been looking at ABC and XYZ companies. I'd love to talk to someone at either of those. Do you have any contacts there? What suggestions do you have for me?"

"Eliciting specific information from your family will give you something to talk about and help them help you," she says. "Definitely something to be thankful for!"

Looking for a job can be an incredibly frustrating and stressful experience, and feeling like you have to explain yourself to others only adds to it. Remember these six tips the next time your family or friends ask about your job search. You'll successfully avoid any unpleasant conversations—or at least shorten their duration!

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Check out Work It Daily and all of our career resources. We'll help you feel empowered in your job search so you can land the right job for you.

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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6 Ways To Deal With Family Asking …

Balancing a career and family is a common concern for most individuals. However, it’s important to realize the smallest of changes can produce the strongest of impacts. I’ve often worked jobs that required evening and weekend hours. The question is: What can we do? 1. Morning Gratitude Moment When you wake up in the morning, don’t jump out of bed […]

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