January/February 2009

Career Enhancement
A ProfessionAl DeveloPment newsletter from Dr. ritA CArey
Take a Second Look: See what’s new at www.rcmassociates.com.

Dr. Rita Carey

Adaptability: How to Survive in Today’s Business Climate
Dr. Rita Carey, director
of RCM Associates, is
a Professional Devel-
T here’s no getting around the news—foreclosures,
bailouts and breathtaking stock market swings. It’s
real. It’s upon us. It can be scary.
Now is not the time to skimp on customer service. Like
your staff, clients need to hear from you. Whether your
customer service is awe-inspiring or plain awful (be hon-
opment Coach with Though we can’t control the economy, we can est), what’s one action you can take to “wow” a client?
15 years experience
control our perception (and reaction) to it. Every crisis Flexible payment options? A bonus offer? Do it. Don’t
in Career Manage-
ment. She has helped
creates a positive by-product—opportunity. It’s more give your clients or customers any reason to say “no.”
hundreds of individuals important than ever to think creatively and adapt “on- Adapt by Not Adapting
match their strengths, the-fly” to seize those opportunities. Companies that do Contrarian? Perhaps. But you don’t need to reinvent the
skills and abilities so will thrive, even during the most challenging times. wheel to be relevant. If relying on your “meat and po-
to their professional Here are some survival strategies for tough times: tatoes” is what works, why “fix” it. Maybe you already
career choices. In her
coaching practice,
Don’t Panic. Be a Leader. offer something that just needs tweaking. What service
Rita assists clients Fear plays a role in the ups and downs of the stock or product is it time to blow the dust off of?
with identifying those market. Don’t let it create the same volatility in your Also, don’t assume prospects aren’t interested be-
factors that influence business. Plan ahead based on facts, not fear. cause “times are tough.” The services or products you
career success and Think of yourself as captain of the ship. With stormy offer (or want to) may be more relevant than ever. You
satisfaction. Her seas the crew (staff) and passengers (customers) look won’t know unless you try.
practice includes for leadership. Define flexibility with your actions. Oth-
clients who want to
Use Your Downtime
ers will follow suit. And don’t sugarcoat any problems. If despite your best efforts, you find yourself with unwant-
improve career
opportunities within Use clear, consistent and confident communication. ed time off, look around your office. Are there unopened
their current organiza- Make “Recession” Your Call to Action tapes/books sitting on the shelf? Use this time to upgrade
tion by enhancing Hard times breed efficiency. Take the time to fix the inef- your skills. Or, is there a new direction you’ve always
leadership skills, and ficiencies you’ve been putting off. Also re-evaluate your longed to go in? Now’s the time to explore it.
clients who are direction. Be realistic about the situation as it is now, not Value Your Relationships
considering a career
change. Rita is a
what you projected months ago that it would be. The people in your life can be a source of comfort
certified professional Retain Your Best and Brightest during difficult times. What relationships could you be
coach and has been How? Communicate more with staff and vendors. maximizing, but aren’t?
described as warm, Acknowledge the situation. Communicate your expecta- Remember, we humans are, by nature, resilient and
wise, smart and tions. Seek advice. Uncertain times make people seek adaptable. By embracing that adaptability and being
creative.
security and reassurance. They’re unlikely to jump ship, flexible within your organization, you increase the
especially if they feel like part of a team. odds of not just surviving but prospering. l
Services
Offered
Leadership Coaching: Ways to Cope with Job Transition
Assess behavioral
Job transitions can be stressful—whether they’re due to family as well, it may be better to seek the outside
strengths & challenges;
identify & remove
layoff, a new job or working extra hours because other support of friends or professionals.
barriers to achieving
workers were laid off. If you’re facing one, consider the 5. Work on your thoughts. Calm your fears and
business & career goals. following: reinforce your sense of hope and happiness.
Career Coaching: 1. Take an honest look at yourself. What are 6. Focus on what you want, and less on what
Assess skills & abilities; your strengths, weaknesses, skills? How did those you don’t want. Keep your eye on the prize.
identify opportunities & influence—positively or negatively—your transition?
develop a transition plan.
7. Reassure (or avoid) those who are threatened
2. Step up your self-care. Major changes are by, or jealous of, the change.
physically and emotionally taxing. You need self-care 8. Create your own rite of passage. Ceremony
Questions? Contact Rita now more than ever. and ritual help with all transitions.
for an “absolutely no
3. Engage your curiosity. What went wrong, 9. Let go of how things were “supposed to
obligation” conversation.
or right? What could you have done better? What be” and accept “how things are.” Appreciate what is.
Phone: 888-260-3173
worked really well?
rita@rcmassociates.com 10. Try on a new perspective. Don’t get stuck.
www.rcmassociates.com 4. Find support. Since your transition affects your Remember, the only constant is change. l
2 January/February 2009

Self-Quiz Are Your Assumptions Undermining You?

It’s natural for us to instantly and automatically generate beliefs or Set 2
assumptions about other people and our environment. Most likely 1. I regularly examine the assumptions I have about
it’s a throw-back to our reptilian brain, which constantly scans to myself to determine whether my beliefs are holding me
see if we are safe or in danger. Take a look at the following ques- back.
tions to discover if your assumptions are undermining you:
2. I know that my truth is not necessarily other people’s
True False
Set 1 truth.
1. I base what I believe is possible on past experiences 3. When I have an assumption about someone, I
I’ve had. check it out with that person first before acting based
on what I think is true.
2. I already know what I do and do not like and,
therefore, stick to what I know. 4. I make time to clear the air with my workmates so
that we don’t just assume we’re on the same page.
3. I tailor what I say and do based on the expressions
on other people’s faces. 5. I consciously endeavor to open my heart to people
I think are different from me—and am delighted when I
4. I don’t tell certain people what I think or feel be-
discover we have more in common than I had imagined.
cause I already know what they will say.
6. I make an effort to learn about differing beliefs and
5. I can pretty well size people up within minutes of
try to keep an open mind.
meeting them and then know what to expect.
7. I cultivate curiosity as a way to counteract my natu-
6. How I relate to people is influenced by the way
ral human tendency to make assumptions.
they look, dress and speak.
If you answered true more often in Set 1and false more often
7. My opinions of others are influenced by what kind
in Set 2, you may wish to examine how your assumptions are
of work they do and where they are from.
undermining your relationship with yourself, others and life in
general. Please don’t hesitate to call if you’d like to explore this
issue further. l

FREE TELECONFERENCE Wednesday, January 7, 2009 8 – 9:15 p.m. US East Coast

Laid Off - Without a Golden Parachute: Seven “must-do” steps for landing on your feet
In response to recent job losses, RCM Associates has scheduled a no-cost teleconference to provide basic strategies for post-layoff action
planning. There are no golden parachutes for most of us. What we need is a flight plan that gets us from one job to the next without
crashing. If you lost your job as a result of the economic downturn (or believe your job is in jeopardy), this free teleconference is for you.
Presenter: Dr. Rita Carey, Director of RCM Associates Career Management
This teleconference will address the following career strategies:
• Ways to capitalize on past performance • How companies are hiring today
• How to shine on a resume • How social networks can play a part in your search
• What constitutes a good value statement – elevator speech • Where to find free tools and resources for job searching
This 75-minute teleconference is free. The only investment may be a long distance phone call, depending on your current phone
service. Space is limited so register now. If you know anyone who has lost a job recently or whose future employment is uncertain,
Used by permission © 2009 Claire Communications

please forward this information.

To register, go to www.rcmassociates.com - the Teleconferences page. Once there, scroll down to the free teleconference. You will
receive an email with the call-in phone number, the access code for the conference, and the handouts. This is a no-cost presentation!

“People think I’m disciplined. It is not discipline. It is devotion. There is

a great difference.”
—Luciano Pavarotti, opera singer
 January/February 2009 3

A Seasonal Approach to Work

M other Nature certainly likes her routine.
Global warming aside, she cycles through
the same processes, in the same order, doing
A few business activities that align with
spring:
• Plant your own seeds by designing one or two The following questions
things the same way they always have worked. new products or services for your business. Give are designed to broaden
Within that cycle, of course, variations exist—a yourself lots of time for brainstorming and col- perspectives, to open
dry winter or a mild fall—but we always can rely laboration before honing your ideas. vistas, to widen the lens.
on the rhythm. One season follows the other. It’s • When you’re ready, create a detailed launch There is no one right way
a comfortable predictability in a world that often plan with action steps and a timeline. to approach them. You
seems to be wildly unpredictable. • Ask yourself what other seeds you would like can journal about them,
Luckily, it is possible to tap into that natural to sow—and what others already are starting to talk to friends, create art,
cycle, to bring into our professional lives a great- sprout. ponder them while driv-
er sense of flow and order. Summer ing or working out, dance
As you read the suggestions below, keep in In summer, the landscape is lush them—whatever helps you
mind that we all have our own rhythms as well. and colorful with fruits and flow- explore “outside the box.”
What works for one person or business might ers. The air is warm and growth is 1. Are you reacting to the
not work for another. Take the ideas as ways to everywhere. Summertime lends recession with fear or are
get you thinking. If a particular suggestion won’t opportunities for family adventures you seeking its opportuni-
work for you, is there another seasonally inspired and exploring. Long days lend a feeling ties?
activity that might? of abundance. 2. What extra action
Winter A few business activities for summer: could you take to “wow”
Winter brings frigid air, frosted • Use the longer days to tweak your systems your customers or clients?
glass and, in some areas, a and work out any bumps or bugs in your imple-
mentation process. 3. What relationships
white blanket of snow. Many could you draw upon for
plants and some animals slip • If the timing is right for your business, launch
your new services or products. support?
into hibernation and get ready
for their springtime rebirth. Win- • Complete other projects. Put finishing touches 4. If you’re in job transi-
tertime sports and holidays distract us from the on work you’ve been doing. tion, what do you really
sometimes uncomfortable temperatures and dras- • Think about what you’re about to harvest. Are want? What strengths do
tic blasts of weather. you ready for it? What else can you do to sup- you offer?
Here are a few business activities that align port your own abundance?
5. What assumptions do
with winter: Fall you make about people
• While you’re hunkered down indoors, take The fall offers us golden rich in your life that may not
some time to analyze your year-end numbers— colors and crisp, cool air. There’s be factual?
what do they tell you about the choices you made a feeling of transition and that 6. How do assumptions
this year? What could you have done better? “back to school” energy we limit your choices? Your
What did you do well? never outgrow. A new school life?
• You won’t be hibernating forever, so set your year keeps whole families busy.
goals for the following year—what would you like The harvest of fruit and vegetables 7. What could you ac-
your numbers to look like next winter, and how is in full swing. complish by “hibernating”
will you make that happen? A few business activities for fall: this winter—if only for a
• Consider what is “hibernating” in your work or • Harvest the bounty of your good work, by ful- day?
personal life. Is it almost time for a filling orders for your new products and services 8. What seeds do you
dormant phase to end? and collecting feedback from your customers want to plant for your
and clients. business this year?
Spring
In spring, everything is glistening, • Prepare for the winter and the end of the year 9. Are you blocking your
green and new. There is a feel- by compiling your records. own abundance?
ing of expansion, birth or rebirth. • Consider your own harvest. Are you satisfied
with its size and quality? What might you do to 10. How do you react to
There’s a sense of renewal and “red flags”?
reawakening. Seeds start to grow. improve it for next year?
In springtime, people start to get outside more, By tailoring some of what you do to the natu- 11. What action would
becoming reacquainted with their gardens. We ral rhythms that allow, sustain and renew all life you take if you trusted
take on spring-cleaning projects and clear on earth, you might just find that your business is what your gut is telling
out clutter. likewise supported, as it grows and prospers. l you?
4 January/February 2009

Paying Attention to “Red Flags”

T om’s business partner was an old friend whom Tom had always
trusted. But small amounts of money started disappearing from
their business account. And his partner was missing work, calling in
Why Don’t We Listen?
Sometimes we want something so much, such as harmony in re-
lationship, that we overlook the red flags indicating something is
with excuses. Several times a day, Tom experienced wrong. Also, we live in a culture that rewards facts
feelings of uneasiness, but quickly dismissed them, and downplays what we cannot prove. As a result,
turning his attention to something else. we may dismiss our uneasy feelings as not worthy
Red flags are waved in front of bulls to get their of respect. And then again, sometimes the truth just
attention. We humans are equipped with our own seems too painful to face, as it was for Tom.
red flag system—and it’s up to us to pay attention.
But too often we ignore these early warning signs
And If We Do Listen?
When Tom finally found the courage to face what
that something is wrong, and by the time we sit up
he “knew,” after dealing with all the fallout, he
and take notice, the problem has multiplied.
concluded that his instincts had been right on. He
We all have experienced those warning signs
thought back to all the times that he’d ignored,
that tell us that something is not quite right. Perhaps
or listened to, the red flags, and discovered they
the red flag came in the form of a feeling, a voice or just a sense
always had been a reliable source of information—a source that he
of knowing. Those signs are emergency flares set off by something
began to pay attention to, develop and trust.
found in all of us—our intuition. If we learn to pay attention to and
Tom now has a new business partner as well as a new ally—
act on this inner wisdom, we can gain extraordinary guidance.
himself. So, the next time that red flag rises, rather than caving into
“No matter how many facts we gather, if we cling to logic, we’re
fear or a wish, consider listening and taking action based on what
using only a small percentage of our capacity to know,” writes Pen-
you really know. You may find that you’re more able to deal quickly
ney Peirce in her book, The Intuitive Way: The Definitive Guide to
with problems before they multiply, take advantage of genuine
Increasing Your Awareness. “Intuition, I’m convinced, is where the
opportunities and make healthy, effective decisions in business
other 90 percent of our brainpower lies. Through intuition we get
and in life. l
the big picture.”

“You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.”

—Henry Ford (1863–1947)

Rita Carey, Ed.D., CPCC

RCM Associates
Professional Development Coaching
P.O. Box 175
Victor, NY 14564
888-260-3173
rita@rcmassociates.com
www.rcmassociates.com

To love what you do and feel that it matters,

how could anything be more fun?
—Katherine Graham