Mike McBride Online

Career | Links

Linked: Actions of a good boss turning into a bad boss
ByMike McBride January 31, 2022January 31, 2022 Reading Time: 3 minutes

It’s true. Our words and actions, especially when things are stressful, undermine what we think we are. You may think you’re being a good boss, and maybe most of the time you are, but those days when you’re stressed and short with people or the days you decide to not deal with a problem, become the days that define you in the eyes of the people who report to you.

To them, you aren’t just another person having a bad day. You are the person who controls their success at this company for better or worse, so it’s not just you having a bad day, it’s the organization having a bad day, directed at them.

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Career | Links

Linked: Why hybrid work is emotionally exhausting
ByMike McBride January 29, 2022January 28, 2022 Reading Time: 2 minutes

As I said, I was surprised, at first. The more I read however the more clearly I saw a picture emerging, of leaders implementing hybrid as the appearance of flexibility that isn’t really flexibility. How many of the stories shared are of people who are productive at home, but not allowed to simply be productive that way. Or of people who had any decision about how to schedule days in the office in a way that makes sense to them and what they need to do, taken away?

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Career | Links

Linked: Leadership Lessons from The Great Resignation
ByMike McBride January 25, 2022August 18, 2023 Reading Time: 2 minutes

It’s going to be hard to compete for talent if you aren’t adapting. I don’t suggest you waste much time waiting for everything to “go back”.

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Career | Links

Linked: What If We Just Stopped Being So Available?
ByMike McBride January 24, 2022January 23, 2022 Reading Time: 2 minutes

This is really the thing. We all know that our devices are with us all the time, and we all know that everyone else knows. So when the notification pops up, there’s an instantaneous thought process that we all go through.

And no, it’s not is this important or can it wait? The actual thought process is “they know I see this and are probably expecting a response”

However the article below also points out that much of the time, that’s isn’t true. Someone was just reaching out and there is no hurry or even an expectation of immediate response but we don’t know that. So, we either drop everything to reply or we apologize for any delay in replying.

Which makes no sense.

I’ve been involved in direct work with clients in half-day training, or multi-hours long workshops and replied to an email afterwards with an “I’m sorry, I was tied up” opening.

Yes, I’m apologizing for doing my job and paying attention to it.

How dumb is that?

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Career

An Important Balancing Point – Be Professional Always
ByMike McBride January 22, 2022January 21, 2022 Reading Time: 1 minute

I talk a lot about the Great Resignation and employees taking control over their own careers instead of just following along with what the company wants them to do. I stand by it, and like Mark, I am also thrilled that we are seeing a shift in the balance of power as employees start to recognize their value. But, he also raises an important post in the LinkedIn post.

As long as you are there and getting paid you owe them your best. Be professional, even if the company isn’t. Do your job even if you plan on quitting tomorrow. Commit your best efforts to the project even if you don’t agree with it.

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Links | Security

Linked: Malicious QR Codes – The Digital Slip & Fall
ByMike McBride January 20, 2022January 19, 2022 Reading Time: 1 minute

Sarah makes a valid point. Sure, during the COVID pandemic it’s nice that you can go into a restaurant and scan a QR code to view the menu instead of handling physical menus. I worked in a restaurant kitchen in college, I know how nasty some menus can get. On the other hand, are we teaching people to trust something they shouldn’t trust?

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