If you fail to understand the business culture within which you work, or within a prospective employer, this can put a brake on your career progress. In Bobbie’s case she eventually went back to work at Sprouts, was much happier, but had to accept a cashier’s position until an assistant manager position opened up a year later. There is no question

The problem itself may be somewhat (or completely) out of your control and you may not feel as if this situation is exactly a career booster. It may not be. But your reaction to the situation can definitely provide acceleration, and that is where you have complete control. Instead of focusing on what happened TO you, focus on what you did (or faile

We want to do and be and experience many different things, and generally our strongest motivations at any given moment focus on what we are lacking or feel unlikely to achieve.

ACT SOON • Become a student of your business model, work to develop a broad and deep understanding of every department, function, and process that impacts business success. • Identify those in your business who seem to be really good at navigating the human dynamics within the organization and begin to model their behavior. • Begin playing “positiv

When it comes to employment there is no luck, good or bad. There are no accidental circumstances. There are no victims. Everything happens for a reason. And just because you are surprised, or are treated unfairly, does not mean that you can abdicate your own responsibility for the situation. You have made choices. And even when you felt that you we

Shouldn’t doing an exceptional job be enough? Unfortunately it’s not. The hard truth is that you must learn to do a great job AND navigate the complex human dynamics.

So when you are trying to understand a person’s strongest motivations, ask yourself what it is they seem to want that is just not quite achievable right now.

If you don’t read people well, you’re climbing up a wobbly career ladder. Blindfolded.

WHEN THEY SAY: I ASK: I work in an abusive environment. Why do you choose to do that? I’ve had a series of bad bosses. What does that tell you about yourself? I don’t play corporate politics. Why do you refuse to play? This was the best job I could find in the area. Why did you limit yourself to this area? Everyone in this industry is struggling. W