Society: Bureaucrat

 

The Fine Art Of Leading A Meeting

Ten Sure Signs You’re Going To Be Fired

 

 

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The Fine Art Of Leading A Meeting

 

How to stand out at someone else’s meeting?

 

1.

“Do your homework before the fact.  Make notes about relevant points to discuss next to each entry.

 

2.

“There are no small parts, only small actors.  Try not to steal the show.  Wait for the right moment to intervene.

 

3.

“One great idea is better than a handful of sosos.  Back up your proposals with statistics, experience or new research.

Try to test the reaction to these issues before the meeting if you can.  Have the idea re-shaped rather than turned down completely before colleagues.  Observe a meeting’s dynamics before jumping into the action.

 

4.

“All ears?  Three cheers.  Listening attentively with your eyes and your body as well as your ears can win points, not to mention the same consideration when you’ve got the floor.

 

5.

“No one can resist a volunteer.

 

6.

“Don’t drop the ball. If you’ve been asked by the chair to investigate an idea or develop a proposal, do so.  Send a memo summarizing your findings within several days, even if you haven’t been able to finish the job.”

 

 

Book by Julie Bailey, summarized in Justice Dept newsletter.

 

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Ten Sure Signs You’re Going To Be Fired

(from Fire proofing by Brian A. Grosman)

 

1.         No news is bad news:  Suddenly you are not copied on memos you normally receive, or invited to meetings you usually attend.

 

2.         Merger maneuvers:  You’ve heard the company is going through a restructuring that will affect your position, yet your superior has said nothing about it.

 

3.         The Siberia treatment:  You are “promoted” to a position with substantially less responsibility, and with no one reporting directly to you.

 

4.         Whoooo’s Johnny?  Superiors with whom you have enjoyed a good relationship are no longer available for lunch.

 

5.         The takeover trap:  The company is being sold.  You receive a letter that on completion of the sale all employment will be terminated, but it is expected the purchaser will rehire.

 

6.         Dollar signs:  Your employer tells you times are tough so you won’t be receiving your normal bonus and your salary will be frozen.  You learn that others have not been given this news.

 

7.         The horizontal govotte:  Your boss tells you you’ll be handling “special assignments” from time to time and will no longer be carrying out your normal responsibilities.

 

8.         A very clear message:  Your office is moved on a “temporary” basis to the annex and you’re told you will begin sharing a secretary with two others.

 

9.         Paper trail I:  Suddenly you receive memos critical of your performance.

 

10.       Paper trail II:  You receive memos from your superior confirming meetings and conversations, a process to which you were not previously subjected.

 

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