This is how you can improve your decision making skills

This is how you can improve your decision making skillsThis is how you can improve your decision making skillsA lot of my clients really struggle with how to become better at making decisions. Many people delegate decision making to other people in their lives because they dont want to to take responsibility for a decision that results in a ends negative outcome.I encourage people to recognize that decisions are not permanent. There are no right or wrong decisions. Decisions can be changeable. One of the only high-risk decisions in life is whether to have a child because thats something that you know is a high level of commitment. However, most decisions you can change as long as you have the creativity of thought and the flexibility of mind to make a decision about how to problem solve your way out of a choice.So, when you take the pressure off of yourself that theres a right or wrong way to do something, that should liberate you from the challenge of trying to determine if theres a right way or a wrong way to do something.Theres no right or wrong wayThe idea that theres a right or wrong way to do something comes from the environment that we live in where people like validation for the choices that they make. We are encouraged to do certain things according to a specific group mentality. But that doesnt mean that the group mentality is right. Most of the time the group, whether its family members or our friends, are guessing. Yet we tend to listen to the group mentality because it validates our decisions. That doesnt mean that they are right, it just means that they have guessed about a particular way of doing something and that it makes us more comfortable if we have a consensus.Heres an example. If you put 10 people in a room and you ask them to choose choice A or B, five people will choose A and five people will choose B. Of the people that chose A, three people will be satisfied with that choice, two people wont and will wish they had chosen B. Of the five people that chose B, three people will be satisfied with having chosen B, two people wont, and those two people will wish they had chosen A.The people that were dissatisfied with their choice will need to have the problem solving skills to figure out, with creativity of thought, and flexibility of mind, how to create an approximation of the original choice or a close approximation of the original choice that they could have made. It may not be an exact replica of the original choice that they could have made, but a close approximation of the original choice that they could have made. They will try to find another option to get close to the original choice and then pursue that direction until the next decision.This is what making your own decisions does for youWhen people start to make decisions on their own, it builds self-esteem and self-confidence. The first step in building your self-confidence is to realize that you cant make a mistake as long as youre trying to be authentic wi th yourself. This is because theres really not a right or wrong. You can go back and make changes to the decision that you are making. The next time you have to make a decision, try timing yourself. This will show you that it is possible to make a decision in a short period of time.So for small decisions, like choosing where to go to eat or choosing a movie, give yourself five or ten minutes. And for larger decisions, you take a little bit of a longer period of time. The more decisions you make, youll notice that it becomes easier and easier. There there really is no negative outcome thats coming from authentically making a choice. I hope that this is helpful and that youll learn to make decisions easier and with a more liberated feeling.Through her platform, Sustainable Life Satisfaction,and web series,A Path To Sustainable Life Satisfaction,Dr. Guttman motivates people to believe in their personal effectiveness in the world. Learn more atguttmanpsychology.comThis post was original ly published on Quora.com.

Wearing this retro fashion look this spring will be the ultimate power move

Wearing this retro fashion look this spring will be the ultimate power moveWearing this retro fashion look this spring will be the ultimate power moveIn these post-MeToo days, with a slew of women just voted into Congress, a skirt or a dress just doesnt seem like enough of a statement anymore. Pants are blah, and pantsuits are, well so over.Enter the jumpsuit the sassy, utilitarian statement garment thats making a comeback this spring and summer. It has hints of World War II when women went to work in the factories and the rallying cry was We can do it A dressed-up version is perfectly suitable for both the office and the woman who wants to shake things up a little.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreThe first-ever jumpsuit also called the boiler suit was created in 1919 as a garment for parachuters. It was worn by factory women during the second world war, and by the 60s and 70 s, become a fashion item.Jumpsuits were all over the Spring 2019 runways. Hermes, Giambattista Valli, Stella McCartney, Dries van Noten, Isabel Marant, Alberta Ferretti, Celine, Jil Sander, and Louis Vuitton all turned out a version of one, from classic black and white to bright red to lime.Heres a few for you to consider.This silk charmeuse wide-leg version from Zero+ Maria Cornejois an elegant work solution.Zero + Maria CornejoKnown for the wrap dress, Diane von Furstenberg also makes a wrap jumpsuit.Diane von FurstenbergALCs linen-blend jumpsuit with cuffed sleeves exudes elegance and could easily be worn to a work event.BarneysRachel Comeys crepe jumpsuit is a workwear classicSaks Fifth AvenueTaharis tie-waist crop-leg jumpsuitNordstromThis striped jumpsuit, also from Zero + Maria Cornejo, is perfect for summer Fridays at work, or weekends.Zero + Maria CornejoFrames boilersuit is rough and ready for those embracing the utilitarian look.BarneysZinkas charming cotton jumpsuit is f or weekend wear.BarneysYou might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Starbucks debuts its first protein-packed coffee

Starbucks debuts its first protein-packed coffeeStarbucks debuts its first protein-packed coffeeFor those of us who feast on coffee alone for our on-the-go breakfasts, Starbucks now has a way for you to make your liquid breakfast a little more nutritious. The coffee chain announced that it is introducing its new ProteinBlended Cold Brew in the almond and cacao flavor on Tuesday.You can now get protein with your order of Starbucks coffeeFor those of us who cannot handle dairy, we can still drink the new drink. The 16-ounce grande size drinks are made up of cold brew coffee, coconut or almond milk, and pea and brown-rice protein. The drinks carry between 10 to 12 grams of protein and 180 mg of caffeine in every cup. The drink gets sweetened with a banana date fruit blend for sweetness.Plant-based beverages, plant-based proteins are a choice that many consumers are gravitating towards, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said in June about Starbucks foray into more protein.Starbucks new additio ns are parte of a growing trend among American consumers who recognize we cannot survive our work mornings on sugar and willpower alone. More than half of American adults say they want more protein in their diets, according to research firm NPD Group.

Avoid These 10 Common Pitfalls in Your Resume in 2012

Avoid These 10 Common Pitfalls in Your Resume in 2012Avoid These 10 Common Pitfalls in Your Resume in 2012Avoid These 10 Common Pitfalls in Your Resume in 2012The 2011 Top Ten Common Pitfalls was the most popular article that I wrote for FedSmith last year, and the list is leise applicable and worth a peek. For this year, I am bringing it back again, but I have added a whole new top 10 list, making a combined mega-list of 20 common pitfalls for writing the federal resume work experience section.The new top 10 includes the most common problems we have binnenseen in working with our clients this past year with writing a federal resume that will get an applicant Best Qualified, Referred, and Interviewed. These tips are based on federal resume writing classes taught at more than 30 federal agencies in 2011 with varied occupational series specializations, missions, and grade levels.The work experience section is the most important section of your federal resume, and the hardest part to wr ite. If you correct these common pitfalls in your resume, your chances of getting Referred and selected for an interview will dramatically increase. Try it and let me know what happens. Write me at kathrynresume-place.com.harte nuss 1 Big Block ParagraphsOne of the biggest problems I saw in 2011 with client federal resumes was the use of a Resumix format that I call the Big Block. The original instructions for Resumix, which is now nearly gone, said to write as much as possible, use as many keywords as possible from an occupational series or vacancy announcement, and fill in all of the character space allowed. It was a common myth that you had to write it in one paragraph.The big block legacy lives on today. The format that I saw most often this past year in my federal resume writing class for federal employees was one huge paragraph for the work experience section of the resume.THE FIX Instead of one big paragraph, create 5 to 7 paragraphs that are 5 to 10 lines long. Each paragra ph should feature one skill set or one accomplishment. This format will be more successful and more readable for someone in human resources (HR) who could be reading from 30 to 500 resumes.Problem 2 Weak Presentation of Your AccomplishmentsIn many resumes that I have reviewed, accomplishments are often either not included or blended in the middle of a paragraph that could be up to 100 lines or more. The HR specialist or the hiring manager will not be able to determine what you have achieved for your current agency.THE FIX Tell a good story about your accomplishment With the stiff competition for todays federal positions, its important that the accomplishments stand out in separate paragraphs so that they are readable and engaging. Your goal is to get the interview. Its time to let the hiring manager know that you could be a valuable asset to the new organization as a result of your past performance.Problem 3 Lack of ProofMost vacancy announcements now include a self-assessment que stionnaire where you score your skill level. Did you know that you must also back up your questionnaire answers with proof in your resume? We often find this connection between the questionnaire and the work experience section missing. If your questionnaire is scored at the perfect level, then the resume MUST ALSO match those levels. The HR specialist will compare your answers to your resume, and they do have the authority to reduce your score if your resume does not demonstrate the level of expertise that you are stating in your questionnaire.THE FIX After you have completed the questionnaire for an application, make sure you go back through your work experience section and check that your work experience section provides adequate proof for your questionnaire answers.Problem 4 Keywords Are MissingThe busy HR specialist will be looking for keywords from the announcement. If they receive 500 resumes, they will focus their search on specific skills. Many applicants use the same resume to apply for a variety of job announcements, and these applicants will not be recognized as having the specific set of skills needed for a position.THE FIX Make sure your resume is updated to match each announcement. Analyze each vacancy announcement for keywords by looking for 5 to 10 words that are repeated throughout the announcement. I know this takes time, but with a little practice you will be able to analyze an announcement and add the keywords into your resume in about half an hour.Problem 5 Not Taking KSAs SeriouslyIt is well known that the KSA narratives were eliminated in November 2010 with Hiring Reform. But the reality is that you are not completely off the hook with KSA writing. KSAs are frequently still listed in the vacancy announcement. They are there so that you will know what Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities are required for the position. They are also most often covered in the questionnaire. Most resumes that we review do not include accomplishments that speak to the KSAs in the announcement.THE FIX If you want to prove that you have a certain Knowledge, Skill, or Ability, you will need to add an achievement that proves you have that experience. Write examples of accomplishments or write statements that clearly demonstrate that you have the KSAs for the position. Including these accomplishment statements within the text of your resume.Problem 6 Resumes That Are Too LongUSAJOBS resume builder has no limit for length. You could actually put a 20-page resume in the builder, and we have seen people try to do just this. Its important that you TRY to limit your writing to a range of about 5 to 7 pages, even if your career is long and accomplished. Hiring officials will focus on the most recent 5 years of your career. They will also read and consider up to the last 10 years of work experience. Prior to 10 years, they will scan quickly.THE FIX The USAJOBS builder does not automatically optimize the space of your resume content, so your resume co uld print out longer than you expect. Print our your current resume to see how long it is, and adjust it accordingly.Problem 7 The USAJOBS Upload Resume FeatureThe upload resume feature seems to work well for vacancy announcements where the questionnaire managed by applicationmanager.govPROS The resume that you upload can be formatted for plain paper reading. You can use bold type, centering, indentations, and other helpful styling techniques.CONS If the announcement is posted by NASA, DHS, or other agencies not using applicationmanager.gov, the integration between the resume and the questionnaire may not be perfect.THE FIX I am starting to use the Upload resume feature, but when I do, I ensure that I include the critical compliance information, such as month and year, hours per week supervisor name supervisor phone salary full address and location of the employer for each position for 10 years.Problem 8 Too Many Words Spent on Irrelevant JobsSometimes employees get into a job tha t is not great. Or you may have a job in the past that simply has nothing to do with the position for which you are applying. I have seen resumes that spend too much time describing the jobs that I would basically call irrelevant.THE FIX What should you do? You can keep the job(s) on the resume just keep the description short. You can write about any transferrable skills that will be helpful for your preferred career, but dont dwell on unnecessary details.Problem 9 One Year Specialized Experience Is Not Taken Seriously EnoughThe One Year Specialized Experience is a deal breaker for your application. This is a very simple, but sometimes overlooked, requirement. One of the very first sections I look at in the vacancy announcement is the qualifications section and the One Year Specialized Experience.THE FIX Ask yourself, What is the best position in my experience that supports the One Year Specialized Experience requirement? I hope you have an answer to that question from the last 5 y ears of your work experience if necessary, you can go out to 10 years. At the Resume Place, we make it a priority to feature the One Year Specialized Experience in a resume with accomplishments that prove the level of that experience.Problem 10 Not Getting Selected for an InterviewI realize that this problem isnt really a specific problem with your resume. However, the current reality is that many current federal employees can get Best Qualified and even Referred, but they dont get selected for an interview. If you have personally experienced this, then take it to be an indicator that there IS something in your resume that could use adjusting.THE FIX Get to the bottom of it Carefully review your resume again, using this top 10 list and the top 10 list of 2011. If you still cannot determine where your resume needs strengthening, consider getting some professional eyes to help you look over your resume for its weaknesses.Wishing you the best for your federal job search in 2012

VA Expedites Hiring

VA Expedites HiringVA Expedites HiringVA Expedites Hiring VA Expedites Hiring for Occupationswith Severe Shortage of CandidatesBy Kathryn Troutman President, The Resume Place, Inc.and Ten Steps to a Federal Job Certification Program DirectorJanuary 24, 2018The Department of Veterans Affairs is looking for a few good professionals. This recent article from Government Executive Magazine describes the Expedited Hiring Authority to hire 15 Critical positions at the VA hospitals throughout the USActually, the VA is looking for tens of thousands of employees in scores of occupations, from healthcare to IT to building maintenance.The VA considers this a critical personnel situation because overworked staffers in understaffed occupations can have higher rates of attrition. And with the U.S. economy near full employment and millions of jobs open in the private sector, the situation is growing more dire by the day.This staffing crisis, many years in the making, is particularly acute in 15 occ upations for which the VA has declared a severe shortage of candidates. So its for these vacancies that the VA has petitioned for and recently received authority to hire through a rare, expedited process.What does expedited hiring mean to potential candidates for these challenging, well-paying, secure jobs with great benefits? It means youve got a greater chance than usual of getting hired, and faster. It means that for these jobs, the VA is rahmen aside time-consuming processes like veterans preference and competitive rating and ranking, to get new employees in the door sooner rather than later.But enough with the suspense. Here are sample openings for the15 VA occupations, many with vacancies across the country, that are or soon will be posted with expedited hiring authorityAccountants An opening in Fort Lawton, Washington, pays $43,930 to $84,514.Biomedical Equipment Support Specialists Baltimore, MD, pays $57,948 to $91,147Boiler Plant Operators Salem, VA, $24.05 to $28.06 p er hourGeneral Engineers Orlando, Florida, $72,168 to $93,821Social Workers Multiple Locations, $73,623 to $95,710Health Technicians Louisville, KY, $41,365 to $53,773Histopathology Technicians North Las Vegas, Nevada, $41,766 to $54,295Human Resources Specialists Battle Creek, MI, $50,598 to $79,586Information Technology Specialists Marion, Indiana, $47,686 to $81,400Police Officers Shreveport, LA,$37,223 to $48,385Realty Specialists Vacancies should post soonRepair Specialists Vacancies should post soonSecurity Specialists Boise, Idaho, $41,365 to $65,778Utility Systems Operators Charleston, South Carolina, $21.28 to $24.82 per hourEXPEDITED HIRING AUTHORITY FOR THESE 15 OCCUPATIONS Keep in mind that these are representative job postings for each of the 15 occupations for which Veterans Affairs has received expedited hiring authority. Some of these openings have restrictions on who may apply, but additional similar vacancies should be posted soon.The federal resume and applicatio n process are still demanding, even under expedited hiring authority. To apply for any federal job, you need to start from scratch to create a resume thats much longer and more detailed, uses just the right keywords, and is organized the way menschengerecht resources professionals at the VA or anywhere in the civil service expect.Want Professional Writing Help with your Federal Resume for 2018?GET A FEDERAL RESUME QUOTESend your current, up-to-date resume, and a sample job announcement for a free quote.The hourly rates for our writing services are postedClick hereView good trusted samples of federal resumes in established, renowned books to format and organize your resume. Our Federal Resume Books contain excellent, successful FEDERAL RESUME SAMPLES.Trusted samples of federal resumes are demonstrated in all of the books and are taught in government agency training worldwide.Kathryn is the author of 27 books on federal resume writing, includingFederal Resume Guidebook, 6th Ed.Writing The New SES Application, Jobseeker GuideTen Steps to a Federal Job for Military and SpousesStars are Lined Up for Military SpousesStudents Federal Career Guide, 3rd Ed.Creating Your First Resume.

New Article Reveals the Low Down on Resume Templates Ms Word 2010 and Why You Must Take Action Today

New Article Reveals the Low Down on Resume Templates Ms definitiv 2010 and Why You Must Take Action Today When youre writing the reference letter for everybody, its important to write it in well organized format. Therefore, if you would like to continue to keep his interest maintained in your document then you have to never forget that you have made a short and snappy cover page. Have the CV read by another man to ensure you havent overlooked any error. Templates also show you exactly what information you want to have in your CV, such as what information to put in each individual part of your CV, and what sort of language to use. The very first paragraph must take care of the reason for which youve selected this job and post. Rule number one When tailoring a resume for a specific position, you should study and understand the work requirement. The range of care supplied by ancillary, technical and expert staff has changed dramatically over the previous five to seven decades. 1 client company used assessments to enhance their hiring and recruiting procedure. Youre able to fully customize your vehicle reply in Microsoft Outlook 2010. Resume Templates Ms ja genau 2010 - the Conspiracy That means you wont need to be worried about the format when making job specific resume. Using Microsoft word to create a resume can be extremely straightforward but at the exact same time just a little bit sophisticated if you dont understand how to start it. Writing your resume has never been simpler. Making your resume is essential. Therefore, application forms arent going to include fields for such an information and professional interviewers are trained not ask for this sort of info in an employment interview. You need to avoid sending flags to the employer that may imply that you wouldnt fit in. Make certain that you have replaced all the information from the template with your own, personalized details. Make this information prominent and simple to discover . It can be very tedious attempting to make the resume from scratch. With the assistance of professionally designed resume templates its possible to save yourself lot of work and time on procedure. You show you have paid attention from the beginning, catching the name during the introduction. The templates offer you a simple time getting everything together. A Secret Weapon for Resume Templates Ms Word 2010 The degree of sophistication of the data management process is not quite as critical as the forms of data collected and reported and how theyre utilised to review overall program operations and outcomes. Its definitely a great idea to stockpile on uniform t-shirts. If youre more experienced, you can also find templates with a style that concentrates on your skills and experience to generate an impression on your prospective employer. Simply download your favourite design and start adding your experience. Details of Resume Templates Ms Word 2010 A well-written ad put i n the incorrect publication or displayed online to the whole country wont bring in much business enterprise. Then its likely that you may end up excluding some critical regions and which includes other folks that are not that essential. Search for your competitors Advertise in identical publications and same on-line media your competitors do. Even today, the internet is full of completely free samples and examples that illustrate the old means of doing things... a manner that pretty much ensures your CV wont create the results that you desire. The Awful Side of Resume Templates Ms Word 2010 Ensure word CV consists of adequate ways for prospective employers to get in touch with you. There are various techniques to compose a resume. The most suitable format presents your work history and abilities in the greatest possible light. You need to make sure you have used easy and straightforward language when you inventing your cover letter. The Appeal of Resume Templates Ms Word 2010 MS word templates will present your resume a skilled and artistic appearance. If your ad sounds as if you are offering something too fantastic to be true, most individuals will skip right over your ad. Theres something for everyone as it pertains MS Word templates. Microsoft provides you the chance of developing a work resume using the resume templates word 2003 positiv other versions which were created especially for this work. While resume templates could be effortless to follow along with the template presented may not be best suited for your specific employment background. They can be used for making CV, resume in order to apply for jobs. A number of the templates are particular to given industries. The next 3 templates may arrive in handy once you put together your resume.

Qualified Job Seekers With Little Relevant Work Experience - Spark Hire

Qualified Job Seekers With Little Relevant Work Experience - Spark HireAs hiring manager or employer, going for the under-qualified candidate is generally not your first choice. At the same time though, those overqualified job seekers are difficult to work with as well. Ideally you want to find job seekers and candidates that fit into that sweet spot right in the middle qualified and with adequate experience to back them up. You dont always get that though. Especially with the skills gap that a lot of employers are experiencing. And sometimes youll come across a candidate that is highly enthusiastic and seemingly qualified but has little past work experience behind them. Do you stick your neck out for these candidates or toss their resume in the can for someone with the right experience?Well, like so many other situations in the hiring process it really just depends. The job interview, be it a video interview or an in-person interview, will tell you most of what you need to know abou t a candidate. That is why engaging in a video interview right from the start can really help you make a sound and adequate decision about a candidate sooner than if you simply used a phone screen. Take a look at some of the things that can compensate for a lack of experience, and decide whether or not its for you to take a risk on this candidate.Look at Transferable Skills This candidate may not have the precise skills you are looking for because they havent been in the industry for a long time. They may be a new graduate or someone that is looking to change careers, so work experience is something they seem to be lacking. However, they may have a slew of transferable skills that will help them to excel in any position they work in- regardless of their experience. They may have great communication skills, which may be why you are even considering them as a candidate in the first place. If they are lacking in experience but you think they would still be a great fit for the job then look for skills such as teamwork skills, leadership qualities and other transferable skills that apply to the position.You see, you can have a candidate that is qualified and has tons of relevant work experience but they may not have those communication and teamwork skills that the under-qualified candidate possesses. Most times these skills are way mora important than some skills that are gained through work experience because these skills cannot usually be taught- and why would you want to waste your time on a candidate that doesnt already possess these skills anyways? Keep this in mind before ditching the under-qualified candidate for the experienced.Company Culture Fit If you are attracted to this candidate but are worried they do not have that experience you so desperately seek, think about why you were attracted to them in the first place. Perhaps you have invested some time in them already- even though they are seemingly under-qualified- because they would be a great company culture fit. If you are an avid Spark Hire reader then you know how important it is to find a great company culture fit. Much like we discussed in the above tip, more times than not company culture fit cannot be taught. You may feel that the candidate with more experience is a safer bet, but the under-qualified candidate is a way better company culture fit.Remember that if you hire someone and they dont fit into the company culture they likely wont last too long. So if you have a candidate that doesnt have as much work experience, but has those transferable skills and seems like a great culture fit you may want to take that risk. Skills can always be taught, but company culture fit cannot.Consider Their School and Internship/Unpaid WorkSo they may not have the most work experience, but what have they been doing- and what have they done in the past- to push along their career? Have they had a number of internships but very little actual job experience? Have they volunteered in their industry while they were searching for a job? Have they taken additional courses or moves to advance their career and stay ahead of the curve of industry trends? These are all really important things and show you that they possess that drive and desire needed to succeed in your position. Furthermore, an unpaid internship still builds valuable work experience. Be sure to ask this candidate about those past experiences in the job interview- be they volunteer or internship- and see what they learned and took away from those experiences. Just because it is not an experience where they were being paid for their work does not mean it is irrelevant.Taking a bet on an under-qualified job seeker can be really nerve-wracking. However, if they possess some of the most important things that make up a great employee then they may be worth it. Feel them out in the interview, but dont be afraid to consider them just because they lack that work experience.What do you think? Do you think you would t ake a gamble on a candidate like this? Share with us in the comments section belowIMAGE Courtesy of Flickr by MrB-MMX

Why keeping your promises could be the biggest disruption of all

Why keeping yur promises could be the biggest disruption of allWhy keeping your promises could be the biggest disruption of allAs kids, were told that good people keep promises. Were taught it in school and church we read it in books and advertisements we even hear it in Disney movies. Somewhere along the way, Western business culture forgot the importance of keeping promises.Nowadays, being true to your word almost seems old-fashioned. The modern corporate world has a general culture of flakiness unreliability is not only acceptable but also a sign of seniority.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreAdd to that the instant gratification nature of our digital era and the bombardment of competing priorities, and we have ourselves a trustless society. In that sort of environment, showing that youre a rolle of integrity - who people can count on to do what you say you will do - is a gre at way to stand out from the crowd.How I lost (and found) my wayGaining a foothold in commercial real estate meant sacrificing significant chunks of my integrity. I had to learn the tricks of the trade and use them to outpace the competition. It meant prioritizing opportunities based on potential profits, keeping multiple competing commitments, being late to almost everything I did and treating deadlines like suggestions.I viewed my actions as smart and efficient, but I had no clue how much this inconsistency undermined my credibility and potential success. To repair both, I decided to focus on honoring my commitments. Most commercial real estate brokers are known to overpromise and underdeliver. My new business strategy involved doing the exact opposite.What does this look like in practice? For example, I had a guy join us after years at a traditional commercial real estate firm. During a conversation, I mentioned that I had brought back a case of a local rum from Hawaii a few mont hs back and that I would bring him a bottle the next day. As promised, I placed the bottle on his desk the following morning. After experiencing so many empty promises throughout his career, he was stunned by this small token that showed he could trust me.If you want to start being your word, begin by fostering a culture of keeping promises. Here are three ways to practice integrity genuinely and disruptively1. Be clear and realisticBusiness people routinely overcommit to impress or win business. Build a new modell by simplifying your commitments - making them realistic and clear - and setting specific deadlines and goals that everyone understands.Build a simple process for tracking and following through on your word. Record the commitments you make, setting reminders along the way. If you cant keep your word on a specific commitment, be honest about what happened. An attainable, systematic approach to integrity is the most direct path to being the kind of leader that people trust .2. Be accountable and coachableAsk others to hold you accountable to your commitments. This requires you to embrace humility and recognize that others can help you keep your promises. Set goals together as a team and hold each other accountable for deadlines and expectations.For example, I like to recognize members of my team with a Courage to Disagree award when they call me out for failing to follow through on my word or live up to our core values. Its especially important for me, as a leader, to cultivate an open environment where nobody is above honest feedback. The more you open yourself up to input from others, the more you can grow into a person that people trust.3. Be open and flexibleNeeds sometimes arise at inopportune times. Weve all inconvenienced others - or been inconvenienced - enough times to know how this goes.Set aside regular time to allow for out-of-the-box requests. One member of my team builds margin into his schedule, which is extra backup time that allows him to stay on track when unexpected disruptions occur. True integrity shows when its least expected, so be a flexible resource who can come through in a pinch.Reliable leaders must remember to be straightforward, accountable, and flexible. The more your people can trust you regarding the little things, the more they will trust and follow you when it comes to the big things. Trust is everything, and being your word creates that trust.If you enjoyed this article, sign up for SmartBriefs free e-mails onleadershipandcareer development, among SmartBriefsmore than 200 industry-focused newsletters.

AFSC 2T3X7 Vehicle Management and Analysis Specialist

AFSC 2T3X7 Vehicle Management and Analysis SpecialistAFSC 2T3X7 Vehicle Management and Analysis SpecialistVehicle Management and Analysis Specialists in the Air Force are like the auto mechanics of that branch of the service. They schedule and analyze maintenance on Air Force vehicles and equipment, making sure everything is in working order. Although theyre dealing with vehicle and vehicle systems, airmen in this job arent simply grease monkeys. Theyre working with some of the fruchtwein sophisticated and intricate mechanical systems in the world, which includes thousands of vehicles. Most of them require unique maintenance, and keeping up to speed with and learning the latest technology and techniques is a key part of this airmans job. The Air Force categorizes this job as Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC)2T3X7. Duties of Vehicle Management and Analysis Specialists Vehicle Management and Analysis Specialists supervise and perform On-Line Vehicle Integrated Management System (OLVI MS) management functions, including inputting data into the OLVIMS computer system and verifying its accuracy. They coordinateto ensure the timely repair of assigned vehicles, monitor contract, and warranty repairs and develop long and short range plans and programs to keep maintenance schedules on track. They oversee delayed maintenance, accident and abuse programs and keep track of vehicle historical data and records. These airmen also extractand tabulate maintenance data, and prepare that data for presentations to managers and supervisors. They analyze data for deviations from specific performance indicators and help to develop corrective actions. Qualifications Needed forAFSC 2T3X7 Youll need to know maintenance control and analysis, diagnostic duties, maintenance responsibilities, maintenance data collection and reporting procedures, and small computer operation in support of OLVIMS. Airmen in this job need a high school diploma with courses in algebra or other mathematics and should complete a vehiclemaintenance control and analysis course is mandatory. How to Qualify forAFSC 2T3X7 Recruits interested in this job should score at least a 41on theadministrative (A) Air Force Qualification Area of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tests. After 7.5 weeks of basic training and Airmens Week, airmen in this job spend 30 days in technical school Lackland Air Force Base. Here theyll gain experience inmaintenance control or analysis, quality control, diagnostics or maintenance shop work center, and obtaining parts and materials for use in vehicle maintenance. Additionally, these airmen need to know how to conduct maintenance control and analysis, quality control, diagnostics and how to obtain parts and materials for vehicle maintenance. Civilian Equivalents of AFSC 2T3X7 Even though youll be working primarily with military vehicles, the training youll receive in this job will make you eligible for a wide variety of civilian jobs wo rking on vehicles and their systems. Youll be qualified to work as a garage mechanic or work in an auto dealership on vehicle maintenance. Any public or private company that owns vehicles that need regular maintenance (and most vehicles do) will have a use for the skills of an Air Force VehicleManagement and Analysis Specialist.

Heres how you can succeed at delegating employees

Heres how you can succeed at delegating employeesHeres how you can succeed at delegating employeesA few years ago, I started to hear complaints that senior managers were being dragged into weekly client calls - which is not how people in that role should be spending their time. Upon investigation, it turned out that during vacations, lower-level managers were covering their accounts up - in other words, asking supervisors to take calls or meetings for them. On the surface this seemed reasonable, but the practice welches stretching our directors thin and depriving our associates of major opportunities for growth.Learning to delegate is one of the toughest challenges facing new managers, and it is a skill thats critical to making a successful transition from strong individual contributor to team leader.Successfully delegating everyday tasks frees managers for mora strategic, big-picture thinking. But first, youve got to get your head out of the weeds.The most important first step in mastering the skill of delegating is to accept that no task will ever be accomplished exactly the way you would have done it yourself. You have to understand that if your team can produce 85 or 90 percent of what you want without significant involvement from you, thats a big win.How do you get there?Often new managers are reluctant to give employees the real-world experience they need to grow, especially in client-facing roles where mistakes can have consequences with important clients. This is particularly true in a B2B service business. However, as in sports, if players/employees practice and never get real game time, they cant get better. Eventually, they need that real-world experience.Whats the solution to this dilemma? Cover down.When our managers covered up, they not only created more work for those above them, they also ensured that no one farther down the chain of command gained any real experience running calls or meetings on their own. This proved a problem when the time came for those same managers to find someone to promote.Few managers had ever thought to cover down, i.e., have the juniorin people on their teams step up for these temporary opportunities. They were too worried about mistakes and about their team members lack of experience.But here is the thing While covering calls and meetings is a dull obligation for someone in a higher role, its an exciting opportunity for someone in a junior position. A lower-level employee is therefore likely to come into that call or meeting over-prepared and ready to make a very positive impression.Some of the best times to cover down are during vacations, travel, or when multiple meetings conflict.Use these breaks as opportunities to let some of your up-and-coming team members spread their wings and get some real reps - knowing that the extra responsibility is only temporary. The ultimate goal is to grow your people to take on your job so you can have a greater one. You simply have to trust them at some po int to go out on their own.In the case of meetings, begin by letting subordinates listen in on a few client calls, then give them a chance to handle some on their own - while you listen in. Dont intervene until after the call unless there is a real disaster. Instead, coach them afterward. This is how great sales managers train salespeople, they are willing to let them blow a few sales to learn the ropes. Real-world failure is a powerful teacher.Finally, try covering down during a vacation. Make sure you debrief when you get back, reviewing what worked and what didnt. If its a call, you can even have your team member record it so that you can go over it in detail when you return.This cover-down strategy has paid off well for us in the long term, as we have found its a great way to test out someone in an elevated role for a prolonged period of time, such as during a maternity leave. If the temporary promotion doesnt work well, you have a natural out. However, in most cases weve found the person rises to the occasion. This makes it possible to elevate that team member down the line and shows us who might be ready for more responsibilitySo, the next time you are facing a gap due to vacation or leave time, consider pushing someone junior on your team to step up. Over time, you might find that the more you cover down, the more you are able to grow your team and take on new challenges yourself.This post originally appeared on Forbes.Robert Glazeris the founder and CEO ofAcceleration Partnersand the author of the international bestselling bookPerformance Partnerships. Join 35,000 global leaders who follow his inspirational weeklyFriday Forwardorinvite him to speak.