Undue Regard for Technicalities or Discipline

I love structure. I am not sure whether it because of my legal background, my choleric upbringing or my melancholic nature. But I am attracted to structure, finesse, courtesy and discipline. I embrace it where I find it, create it where I don't and long for it when I have no say. But is this a strength or weakness?

The world is currently all about folded sleeves and loosened ties; open door policies and relaxed work environments but it has been my experience that man thrives better in a regulated environment. Discipline breeds efficiency more often than not and this is not to argue for fanaticism. It is an excellent habit to be on time, to defer to your elders and to dress appropriately. Even if you were to find President Obama in his shirt sleeves or President Museveni milking his cows, a high five would not suffice as a greeting. You would still need to address them respectfully because of who they are. The only thing you risk with good manners is to be respected.

So to the youth out there....it is excellent to be able to write a job application well, speak good English, dress well, be courteous and keep time. These breed respect, efficiency, and a good reputation. They are time tested values that have facilitated many a rise to greatness. Napoleon, Alexander the Great, Shyaka Zulu, Margaret Thatcher, Gandhi, were all known for their discipline and attention to detail.Successful armies, companies and governments all over the world have more often been the most disciplined. The Bible refers to discipline 39 times (http://www.openbible.info/topics/discipline) just to put a little emphasis on it.

Sloppiness whether in the name of fashion or as a personal style only breeds laziness, corruption and will only keep you at a certain stage in life. You will always be trying to keep up, fit in or over compensate.

Do not look at a president in jeans and shirtsleeves and think that is the way to be....read about how he got there. Chances are he wore a lot of suits, won a lot of respect and trust with his conduct and now he can afford to relax a little. You on the other hand just started out...so do the bows and the handshakes, you only risk being respected while if you behave as you want you will stay where you are....sloppiness breeds mediocrity so I put before you discipline....and "swag" that you may choose your path today.

6 Ways to Handle Drama in the Work Place

Drama will happen to you whether you like it or not and we all react differently. Some of us hide and proceed in denial, some of us are the heart of the drama, some of us spread it like butter on bread and yes, some of us are the creators.

We all have been or seen the victim of office drama at one time or another. Very often it stems from one person (drama queen; either male or female) being in the wrong and trying to cover up their guilt with the star studded quilt of guilt transference.It can also be a result of one person having too high an opinion of their role in the organisation and they start to occupy everyone else's time. Since we can't seem to avoid it (especially since in this century it's "in" with emancipated drama queens round every corner) how do we handle it and minimize the damage and it's impact on us? Let's try these;

1. If you can say it never put it in writing: Even if the drama queen emails you and copies in the world avoid replying to all at all costs. If you do not only are you fanning the flames but to all that are watching, you are saying that you are no better than said drama queen.
2. Never use the drama queen's forum to handle drama: Always determine where and when a confrontation if any needs to be carried out. Do not accept to be manipulated or driven into a confrontation you are not prepared for. Drama queens are experts at setting a stage and ensuring there is a suitable audience. Play possum and strike only at the right moment
3. Be the cold water to the fire never the catalyst: Sometimes you may have the rare opportunity of being dragged into other people's drama. If you do not want to be a participant do not play. Be that cold water that they use in Mexico to cool street fights in summer. Be that voice of cold reason that will end the drama. Who knows, you might be investing in some serious mitigation for drama in the future.
4. Avoid looking for advocates but witnesses rock!:Very few people who get involved in drama are ever there for your good. So do not deceive yourself that they will defend you. Instead, to beat a drama queen you need an audience...so you can beat them at their game. Do not give them a chance to report on your private confrontation with their version of the story. It will create too much work fixing the damage.
5. Build your case: Remember everything you do or say in a drama situation shall be held against you. Don't confront a drama queen unless the stakes are high and you have a good hand and as Tsung Zu states, never leave your enemy with their backs against the wall because then they have nothing to lose and everything to gain in literally destroying you.
6. It should be your reputation and not your ego!: Be sure that it is your reputation you are defending. Your ego needs a regular kick in the shins anyway so don't mind it so much. Besides if ego is at stake chances are high that you will respond emotionally and make a regular fool of yourself. And this is about keeping it together right?

If said drama queen is determined, chances are you will not avoid the drama. But a little patience, cunning and diplomacy will go a long way in showing who's who!

Rid Yourself of Backlog

Are you walking around feeling burdened because work is just too much? Do you feel you need a PA? Do you go online frantically looking for apps that organize your work for you? Chances are that a lot of important work is pending and slipping through the cracks while you focus on the peripheries.

I get there a lot....so how do you prioritize? How do you ensure that you have a clean desk and that all your tasks are accomplished? I like you love the feeling of achievement...that pat on the back....that surge of satisfaction.

I asked a few colleagues that are really organised and this is what they had to share:

1. Clarify Tasks

Everyday is a new one. Write out your tasks and limit them to SMART ones (http://www.practicallyperfectpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/smart.png) put them before you and resolve not to leave without completing them.

2. Clear Your in tray Everyday

Some of the most efficient CEOs have really clean desks. They are thorough and peruse all documents but they work on things as they come in so it creates a healthy speedy flow of work. Procrastination will kill your moral eventually so try to deal with things as they come.

3. Follow Up Approvals and Delegation Personally

If anything needs an approval or review by someone else, have a chat with them about it, follow it up. Eventually people will learn to prioritize your referrals because you follow up. It is easier to tick off tasks if everyone in the approval chain is on board.

4. Share the Burden

If you have subordinates, share the tasks with them. Discuss the way to execute it and give them some of the tasks. If it is team mates or superiors request for their assistance in areas of their expertise. It will add value to your final product.

5. The Devil is in The Details

Read read read!! Ensure that what you are doing the one sure thing that is required. Get a full grasp of what is required and be sure of anything you sign. If you can note it down or keep a copy. It will save you someday.

Sometimes none of these are the reasons your desk looks like a paper disposal ground. Lean back, take a deep breath... you will find a way soon...necessity breeds invention. Just ensure that you do not put off to tomorrow what you can do today.

Building Your Brand in Seven!

In today's world, a brand is an identity. What one stands for, what values one upholds and what others should expect of one. We live in a world of research where people know more about a place they are travelling to that they do about their own home because somewhere out there there is someone who talked about the place and immortalized their information by putting it on the internet. To have control over what the world knows about them, most companies have taken to providing relevant information on themselves on the said internet.

So what do people say about you? Whether you like it or not they will say it so the question of whether they will say anything is no longer relevant. How can you determine what and how much they will say about you? Or who will say it?

1. Define your Values

Be clear about what you stand for. This is not rocket science. Start with low hanging fruit like are you a christian or muslim, are you a parent, etc. Already these come with their expected set of values. Establish this and add some more values and own these.

2. Stand by your Values

When you tell someone you are a christian it means that you seek to be Christlike so things like integrity and the fruit of the spirit are a given. Avoid situations where a pagan for instance will show you up for claiming to be something you are not.

3. You are who you hang around

Surround yourself with people you admire, people who hold similar values and who will keep you accountable. They will help you appreciate your brand when you least expect to and will often remind you of what you stand for even when you are weak.

4. Never shirk responsibility

Take every opportunity to serve and to lead. It is your training ground. It is the place where you will horn your strengths and work on your weaknesses. It is the place where you will recruit brand ambassadors for yourself.

5. Be FAT

Faithful, available, teachable. Learning should never stop with you. Be available. Be known as the man for the job...the girl of the hour.Walk your talk always to build a brand of integrity.

6. The Buck stops with you.

Always finish what you start and always take responsibility. When someone calls you about a plumber, if you get them the plumber also follow up after to see that they were happy with said plumber. When you own your tasks it is easier for all to trust you with bigger responsibility.Try as much as you can to be a one stop service center for things you have total control over. Keep close tabs on tasks you have delegated to avoid nasty surprises as well.

7. Always imagine the worst case scenario.

This is not to have you live in fear but things like taking compromising photos or doing anything unsavory because it is in secret are always a cocked gun waiting for the trigger. Just always remember that it is not a secret once more than one person knows it. Be as transparent as possible and you will be afraid of less ghosts lurking in the dark.