Don't be held back by an indecisive boss | Commentary: How women can succeed in male-dominated work environments | Professional communities can be beneficial
Don't be held back by an indecisive boss One way to deal with an indecisive boss is to build trust so that you can be relied upon to help make recommendations that influence decisions. Experts also recommend taking on more of a lead role and seeking advice from colleagues who may have influence over your boss. Harvard Business Review online (tiered subscription model) (3/24)Commentary: How women can succeed in male-dominated work environments Jan Plutzer, chief operating officer at Apcera, offers advice for women who may find themselves the only woman among a team of men: exude confidence, believe in yourself, maintain infectious optimism, support other women around you, and don't "act like a man." Fortune (3/18)
Making the Connection
Professional communities can be beneficial Membership in professional communities can provide you with greater access to resources, writes online marketing expert Jonathan Long. Meeting other professionals gets your name out there and allows you the opportunity to network outside of your company -- not to mention getting out of the office for a change of scenery. Entrepreneur online (3/23)
The Landscape
Study: Demand for paid paternity leave rises A study from the Pew Research Center finds 69% of Americans think men should have paid paternity leave, while 82% think women should have paid maternity leave. The survey also says most people think employers should pay for this benefit. USA Today (3/23)
Your Next Challenge
Impress hiring managers with your career summary A career summary should appear right under your contact information in your resume and give hiring managers an idea of who you are and what you've done. Demonstrate value in your career summary while separating yourself from the competition by mentioning any awards or accomplishments you've earned, advises career expert Marcelle Yeager. U.S. News & World Report (3/23)
Balancing Yourself
What to do if you're on the verge of burnout Don't be afraid to talk to your boss if an unreasonable workload has caused you to feel the effects of burnout, writes career expert Vicki Salemi. If you feel that you're underpaid, gather information on salary websites so you can make accurate comparisons before deciding your next move. Forbes (3/23)
Entries in the Merriam-Webster dictionary can take months to update as employees try to cover all the ways people use a word. Merriam-Webster's online buzz belies the fact that the US has only about 50 working lexicographers, according to in-house lexicographer Kory Stamper. The New York Times (free-article access for SmartBrief readers) (3/22)
We do not need magic to change the world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: We have the power to imagine better.
