Bridges Edition of 6/7/2007

Welcome to Bridges, a monthly newsletter published by Robin Fogel, Executive and Career Coach & Consultant. My goal is that these newsletters include practical information that you can use in your work and in your life. If you found the newsletter helpful, please forward it to your colleagues, friends and family.

If you would like to take advantage of a business consultant or executive coach, please email me at robin@coachrobinfogel.com for a complimentary coaching session or visit my website - www.coachrobinfogel.com
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CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK
I had a conversation recently with a colleague who mentioned the challenge of giving feedback to some of her younger subordinates. She said that many of the young people in her office had been raised by parents and teachers who always told them what a great job they had done, making it hard to hear and use anything that is less than positive. I thought this might be a good time to revisit the topic of giving constructive feedback. All of us who have been in the workplace for a number of years can pinpoint times in our professional development when constructive feedback would have accelerated our learning curve. Yet many of us are still hesitant when it comes to giving that feedback.

Learning to give constructive feedback, not just being critical, is clearly a valuable tool. Here are a few tips:

1.Be honest
2.Plan ahead and use helpful, constructive language- don't say anything you'll regret later.
3.Don't have a hidden agenda - it always shows.
4.Be aware of your tone and body language.
5.Use "I" statements - saying "You" can sound accusatory.
6.Be specific.
7.Acknowledge the other person's point of view.
8.Work together to make changes.
9.Have a follow-up plan and agree to have a follow-up conversation at a specific time.

Finally, constructive feedback is best given in private, not in public and it's important that it be timely. And remember that constructive feedback focuses on behavior, not on the person.
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CAREER CHANGE
As you make your summer vacation plans you may want to take note of a company called Vocation Vacations. In February, the New York Times ran an article about the company which helps folks who are considering a change, actually experience that new career. The company sells one to three day immersions in 110 vocations. It pairs the career changer and business, and Vocation Vacations describes the experience as part getaway, part professional development. So, if your dream is to have that next career be something totally different, then working for a day or so as a dog walker, a clothing store owner or a winemaker, may be a great way to see if it's for you.

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For those who ask me what it is that I do, my business has evolved and I have been offering coaching and business consulting in the following areas:

-Business Consulting & Executive Coaching - working as an independent sounding board providing advice on staffing issues, developing emerging talent and helping managers sharpen their communication and management skills;
-Career Coaching for career advancement, change or transition;
-Not for Profit Consulting - providing Executive Directors with independent sounding board, consulting on staff issues, board relations and staff development

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WORDS OF WISDOM
Last month I had the pleasure and joy of attending my daughter's graduation from Skidmore College. One of the commencement speakers was Tom Brokaw, who brought down the house when he told the graduates that the real world was not high school or college. He said the real world is more like junior high where you will encounter the same spiteful, adolescent behavior. After pausing for the expected rolls of laughter, he went on to encourage the graduates to always be colorblind, to hate hate, and to love your mother.

COPYRIGHT: 2007, Robin Fogel & Assoc., LLC. All Rights Reserved. May be distributed and reprinted in its entirety with copyright, subscription instructions, and contact information intact. However, you may not copy it to a website.