Legacy Bowes Group Articles

Being higher up the ladder doesn't mean being happier

When I talk to people about careers, it seems that many continue to think success means progressing higher and higher on that proverbial career ladder. So, I would like to ask you, what’s wrong with being happy at other levels of an organization? After all, management is not for everyone.

To be sure, middle and senior management usually means increased prestige and a larger paycheque, but it also means increased responsibility. In many cases, it also means longer hours, no overtime and more stress. I agree that being in higher management increases one’s profile but I also can assure you that the higher you climb, the farther it is to fall in case of a major career failure.

Learn to be curious

When something is presented to you, don’t take it at face value; make time to look beneath the surface. Ask yourself if there is evidence of bias, if some facts are missing and/or misinterpreted. Check the validation of data sources and use your own experience and judgement to make a thorough assessment. Think about the political elements behind recommendations and use your knowledge of the organization and industry sector to filter these ideas until you can come to a conclusion.

The end of the school term is here and the thought of report cards reminded me of workplace "report cards," traditionally known as employee performance reviews. Historically, these reports were not done at all and/or were done hurriedly, at the last minute.

Every year, the accounting and consulting firm KPMG conducts an annual HR Transformation Survey of more than 800 organizations. The most recent study report (2016) indicated the top corporate initiative among all survey participants was improving the capability of front-line managers to deal with their people issues.

Rumours at the office can have a detrimental effect on your career

 It’s been a long time since I’ve heard the phrase, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Although it can be traced back to the late 1800s, today it aptly applies to the issue of verbal abuse and bullying that we are now encountering in the workplace. While the context of the phrase is honourable, I can tell you that when someone deliberately spreads a falsehood about you, it not only deals a heavy blow to one’s self confidence but it can damage your reputation and jeopardize friend and business relationships. When this happens, I assure you that the latest new phrase "fake news" will suddenly have a special meaning.