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Happywork TV Episode 40: Lay People Off Using Some Human Guidelines

Posted on June 30, 2015 // 1 Comment

 
In Episode 40 of Happywork TV, I talk about the next commitment in my book “Happywork.”

The commitment is a LONG one. Watch the video to see what you think.

Short version: treat people with dignity when you have to fire them or lay them off. Try to imagine it’s your own special little son or daughter getting the axe, and then act accordingly.

Why should this even matter? Hey, why shouldn’t it? Why can’t we expend a little extra effort to treat each other better. Besides, those people you’re terminating can (and should) be walking, talking ambassadors for you. Yes, even the one you’ve terminated can (sometimes) see the wisdom in your decision, or more likely, can vividly remember how you treated them on exit. And they can tell and retell that story to countless people. So give them a good story to tell! Try to provide a soft landing for them. Don’t fire them in front of a bunch of people. Don’t lay people off with an email, letter, or phone call.

Remember, how would you want your son or daughter to be treated? How would YOU like to be treated?

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Watch Episode 39 here!

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IMPORTANT STUFF!

Both the e-book and paperback versions of Happywork are now available! Order it up!

Test drive it first & see if you like it – Download chapters 1-3 of my book for free!

Please SUBSCRIBE to my email newsletter! Pretty please – you’ll get these blog posts delivered to you automatically. Thank you!

And subscribe on YouTube!

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Happywork TV Episode 39: Single-Tasking To Find a New Job

Posted on June 23, 2015 // 1 Comment

 
In Episode 39 of Happywork TV, I explain where the hell I’ve been for the past four months!

Sneak preview:

1. I prepared to launch a book
2. I was told I was losing my job
3. My book Happywork debuted to great reviews
4. I did quite a few fun speeches related to it
5. At the same time, time to find a new job! I looked far and wide
6. To look for a job, I roughly decided what I wanted my next job to look like, I networked, and I wrote a blog post announcing that I was available for hire. That’s one of the only blog posts I did for those four months, as I decided I needed to single-task in order to stay mentally fit and focus on the job search. I only worried about the job search, probably to the detriment of my book
7. I had 30+ interviews and meetings
8. I had job offers
9. I accepted one of those offers, a wonderful new job
10. It took me 8 weeks to find that job
11. I started working that job, and decided to continue single-tasking, this time on the new job. I want to keep this job (I really like it), so it made sense for me to stay hyper-focused on it
12. But, I do think my book and the subject of happiness and fulfillment in the workplace deserve some attention. So I’m committing to post one video a week
13. Ooooh, lucky 13 – wish me luck!

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Watch Episode 38 here!

— — — — —

IMPORTANT STUFF!

Both the e-book and paperback versions of Happywork are now available! Order it up!

Test drive it first & see if you like it – Download chapters 1-3 of my book for free!

Please SUBSCRIBE to my email newsletter! Pretty please – you’ll get these blog posts delivered to you automatically. Thank you!

And subscribe on YouTube!

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Happywork TV Episode 38: Don’t Haze or Hate on Departing Employees

Posted on February 25, 2015 // 1 Comment

 
In Episode 38 of Happywork TV, we talk about the next commitment in the work code of conduct I’ve created called “The Happywork Agreement.”

This is a commitment that employers are going to make to their employees.

Here it is: “If an employee resigns, I will not make it hard on them. There’s no reason to haze or hate on people who are leaving the organization, even if they leave during a tough stretch. Timing is never good on things like this, and I acknowledge that. We need to look inward to see what happened, and we need to remember that these departing employees could turn out to be great walking, talking ambassadors for us (or just the opposite).”

Hating on departing employees is a terrible thing to do to a fellow human being, but it’s also bad business. Their work friends are still employed by you; don’t think they’re not going to find out how you mistreated your ex-employee. That’s a morale killer. The outgoing employee will tell everyone she knows that you were a jerkface to her. She may even start working it into some of her public presentations. That is NOT the kind of PR you need. Prospective employees will look her up on LinkedIn and ask to “pick her brain,” and she’ll get a chance to tell them to avoid going to work for you.

Why act like a jerk to departing employees? Yes, you’re a little pussyhurt because they’re leaving you. They’re breaking up with you! It’s really all about you!

Get a grip on yourself. You are not the center of the universe. They’re leaving. It sucks. Be nice to them (as long as they’re nice to you). And then, go find someone better!

 
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Watch Episode 37 here!

— — — — —

IMPORTANT STUFF!

Both the e-book and paperback versions of Happywork are now available! Order it up!

Test drive it first & see if you like it – Download chapters 1-3 of my book for free!

Please SUBSCRIBE to my email newsletter! Pretty please – you’ll get these blog posts delivered to you automatically. Thank you!

And subscribe on YouTube!

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Happywork TV Episode 37: Happywork Has Launched!

Posted on February 17, 2015 // 1 Comment

 
Thanks to all who have played a role in bringing my art to the marketplace. Today, February 17, 2015, Happywork hits the streets, and I’m thrilled and honored.

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Happywork Reviews, Happywork Podcasts, Happywork Tweets, Happywork Everything!

Posted on February 10, 2015 // Leave a Comment

This blog post serves several purposes:

1. It’s a compendium of reviews for my book Happywork. (mostly happy reviews, no doubt!)
2. It’s a compendium of podcasts, interviews, and recorded speaking engagements supporting the book.
3. It’s a repository for all the fun tweets flying around about the book.

Here we go!

REVIEWS

Happywork on Goodreads
Amazon reviews of Happywork
8 Ways To Ruin Your Office Culture by Dave Kerpen (huge HUGE comments section here)
Travis Sheridan’s review
Adam Purcell’s review
Mike Stenger’s review
Joi Sigers’ review on SelfHelpDaily.com
St Louis Staffing mentioned Happywork in a blog post – thank you Susan Martin!
Jeremy Nulik’s review on the KolbeCo blog – detailed and awesome

PODCASTS

My appearance on the Mark Reardon Show on KMOX Radio
Marketing Profs with Kerry O’Shea Gorgone – Kerry, you’re the best!
Jeffrey Shaw’s Creative Warriors podcast – excellent questions here!
2 Regular Guys podcast – talking t-shirts, just like the old days.
Bud Hennekes’ A Boundless World podcast
Vernon Ross’ Social Strategy podcast – We went for 90 minutes!
Likeable Radio with Dave Kerpen – download episode 59!
Will Hanke’s “Online Marketing: Navigating the Rapids” podcast
Culture Radio with John Gardner
The Entrepreneur’s Library with Wade Danielson – a fun chance to talk about the book for 15 minutes straight!
Deb Krier on Mile Hi Radio – take a listen, I think she only asked a few questions. We just talked!
Mitch Matthews’ Dream, Think, Do podcast – coming soon

 
MEDIA


LINK to video, in case the above player doesn’t work

 
TWEETS

Dream tweet:

[Read more…]

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Happywork TV Episode 36: Psychometric Testing is Stupid

Posted on February 6, 2015 // Leave a Comment

 
In Episode 36 of Happywork TV, I discuss one of the commitments in the work code of conduct I’ve created called “The Happywork Agreement.”

Here it is: “Personality tests – sometimes referred to as ‘psychometric tests’ – are stupid. They provoke anxiety and are rarely relevant to the position being offered. There may still be relevant uses for such testing, but I will not forget the alternative: sitting down and having a nice conversation with the employee or job applicant.”

I could be wrong about this – hey, maybe you love sitting down before, after, or during a job interview and answering questions about your greatest weaknesses, what makes you angry, sad, etc. Not me! And as I admit in the video, it could be possible that these tests lend a hand to gigantic organizations hiring thousands of people a year.

Nevertheless, I’ve never liked these tests. The questions are often repetitive, and it just seems like a lazy way to evaluate a human being. I’ve worked at quite a few high-functioning organizations, and the hiring process did not include psychometric testing.

Just one man’s opinion.

 
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Watch Episode 35 here!

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IMPORTANT STUFF!

The eBook version of Happywork is OUT! Download now!

Download chapters 1-3 of my book for free!

The paperback version of Happywork is available for pre-order on Amazon – HERE! It hits the streets on 2/17/15 (and I’m finding that they’re shipping early. Order today!)

Please SUBSCRIBE to my email newsletter! Pretty please – you’ll get these blog posts delivered to you automatically. Thank you!

And subscribe on YouTube!

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Happywork TV Episode 35: Thank You Chris Brogan!

Posted on February 5, 2015 // 2 Comments

Chris Brogan
 
In the video below, I give a huge thank you to Chris Brogan for everything he’s taught me and done for me.

It’s more than just the blurb on the back cover of my book. Back when he blogged on a near-daily basis, I read every single post (sometimes multiple times). I was finding my way in this new social world of ours, working hard to leave my CPA job behind me. I wanted a new career, and Chris was one of the thought leaders who, unbeknownst to him, served as a “remote teacher” of mine. All he did was give, and all I did was take. I’m proud of the self-education I gave myself, but all thanks goes to people like Chris Brogan.

Hell, he even jumped on a 30-minute call with me last year to discuss my diet. He said he wanted me in better shape for when my book comes out. Gotta look great during those speaking engagements, he said. (full disclosure: I’ve lost 10 lbs at this point, probably. 😉 )

Chris Brogan, thanks for being you.

p.s. Two of my faves: Trust Agents and The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth (not affiliate links because Missouri don’t play that game. They’re BUY links!)

 
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Watch Episode 34 here!

— — — — —

IMPORTANT STUFF!

Download chapters 1-3 of my book for free!

The paperback version of Happywork is available for pre-order on Amazon – HERE! It hits the streets on 2/17/15 (and I’m finding that they’re shipping early. Order today!)

Please SUBSCRIBE to my email newsletter! Pretty please – you’ll get these blog posts delivered to you automatically. Thank you!

And subscribe on YouTube!

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Happywork TV Episode 34: Thank You David Siteman Garland!

Posted on February 4, 2015 // 1 Comment

 
David Siteman Garland, host of the online show The Rise to the Top, gave me some advice in January 2010 that changed the trajectory of my career. For him, our coffee together might have been a throwaway moment. For me, it was a pivot point. Hard to say, but I don’t think Happywork would exist without David’s push that morning.

If he happens to see this thank you video, he might think it strange. I can’t help that – the guy deserves my thanks. Thank you, David!

P.S. The e-Book version of Happywork is ready for download. Links to Kindle, NOOK Book, and iTunes here.

— — — — —

Watch Episode 33 here!

— — — — —

IMPORTANT STUFF!

Download chapters 1-3 of my book for free!

The paperback version of Happywork is available for pre-order on Amazon – HERE! It hits the streets on 2/17/15.

Please SUBSCRIBE to my email newsletter! Pretty please – you’ll get these blog posts delivered to you automatically. Thank you!

And subscribe on YouTube!

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Happywork eBook is Now Available – Kindle, NOOK Book, and iTunes

Posted on February 2, 2015 // 2 Comments

 
I am pleased to announce that the eBook version of Happywork is now available! We’re up on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble NOOK Book, and iTunes. I’m having trouble finding my book on iTunes via search, but this link should get you there.

This also means that you can now leave a review on these sites. If you’ve read my book, I’d love an honest review from you.

Thank you for being part of my community, and for your interest in happier workplaces.

Buy Kindle version of Happywork

Buy NOOK Book version of Happywork

Buy iTunes version of Happywork

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Happywork TV Episode 33: Thank You Designers!

Posted on January 23, 2015 // 1 Comment

 
In Episode 33 of Happywork TV, I say thank you to three artists who helped me with the design and look of my book Happywork.

Steve Hartman (@creativille on Twitter) did the front cover design of my book. Judging from the reviews I’ve been hearing, it turned out well! I used to work with Steve at Falk Harrison. I miss you, buddy!

Cat McMillan helped me with my book proposal. Instead of turning in the standard black and white Microsoft Word file book proposal, we created a beautiful document. The first publisher that saw it was impressed, but still told me “No.” Luckily, Sound Wisdom said yes. For those of you looking to write and publish a book, I talk here a bit about “designing” a book proposal versus simply writing one.

Bill Sawalich of Barlow took the photo of me near the back of the book (and it’s the photo I’m using on all my social media accounts). We had fun doing this photo shoot.

Thank you guys!

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Watch Episode 32 here!

— — — — —

IMPORTANT STUFF!

Download chapters 1-3 of my book for free!

Happywork is available for pre-order on Amazon – HERE!

Please SUBSCRIBE to my email newsletter! Pretty please – you’ll get these blog posts delivered to you automatically. Thank you!

And subscribe on YouTube!

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