Communication
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Change: Alter, Transform and Switch; To Become ...

: to make different in some particular : ALTER

: to make radically different : TRANSFORM

: to make a shift from one to another : SWITCH

: to become different

Ahh yes: “Alter, transform and switch, to become different’’.....these words resonate a lot in FIG’s evolution, we’re excited about a little bit of change (and a little apprehensive if we’re being honest!).

Change: Alter, Transform and Switch; To Become Different
Communication
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Technology Addiction: Yes, It's a Thing...

In her Wall Street Journal article: Digital Addictions Are Drowning Us in Dopamine, Dr, Lembke, a Stamford University professor and psychiatrist, talks about the scientific biological effects of addictions to our devices. It’s real folks. This is not FIG banging the drum of putting down our phones or any other technological apparatus and talking or connecting with our fellow human beings. No. This is concrete, physiological, measurable, science based fact that continuously interacting with our high-tech electronic leashes, gaming apparatuses and social media actually, physically, alters our brains to crave more of it, thereby de-incentivising us to engage with others on a human level.

Gasp, shock and awe!

Technology Addiction: Yes, It's a Thing...
Communication
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Mistakes: Perfectly Human

Mistakes. We all make them, we’re human beings and by definition 99.9% imperfect (with apologies to those of you who think otherwise), which results in, guess what? Mistakes (we make them hourly at FIG)! That gaffes, miscalculations and oversights are a part of our collective experience on this earth. Why (on earth!) is it so hard to admit to making mistakes, take responsibility for these human aberrations and move on after making a miscalculation or error? Hmmmm?

Mistakes: Perfectly Human
Communication
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Habits: The Good, The Bad, and the Intangible

We all have habits - some serve us well and some get in our way…...Google states: “A habit is a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.” Establishing a habit usually takes about two weeks to become routine and is subsequently supported and reinforced by practicing it daily.

Habits: The Good, The Bad, and the Intangible
Communication
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Life Happens

Ever had a “Monday” on any day of the week? Ever had your day perfectly planned, scheduled and organized only to have all your intended “to-do’s”: meetings, calls, oh yeah, actual “work,” utterly blown up by an unexpected interruption, complication, interference? Ever had someone insert themselves into your day with their drama, troubles or lack of planning (real or self-inflicted), requiring you to shelve your carefully laid out day(s) and requiring you to stop whatever you’re doing for their fire drill?

Yeah, us too.

Life Happens

workplace

The Implied Imperative

The Implied Imperative

Does anyone out there feel overwhelmed with a seemingly endless firehose flow of emails? Texts? Social media requests? Solicitations? Phone calls? Picking up your phone to make a call, and seeing 3 text messages that you probably ought to respond to, completely forgetting to make the call you initially intended? Back to back video meetings? Phone calls? The occasional “in person” (socially distant) meeting, requiring planning for travel time - actually getting fully dressed, which is a practice we have not exercised consistently in a year?

Is anyone out there attempting to juggle all this with getting actual work done - important work like meeting deadlines, accommodating your clients, building your business through marketing efforts, networking and speaking engagements and, oh yeah, making money doing so?

These are ubiquitous experiences - AND there are a couple of solutions to these implied demands on our time and schedules.

There's a Reason for Everything....

There's a Reason for Everything....

There’s a Reason for Everything...

Bold statement but true - especially regarding human employee interactions at work. However, most issues, struggles, and conflicts in the workplace are human in nature. So where is the overlap between human beings and employees?

Professional protocol is a necessary component in any organization and needs to be universally adopted by employees in order to have a cohesive expectation of performance and business. Agreed-upon standards like work product, conduct, wardrobing (dress codes) and mission statements provide an overall unified expectation of “professionalism.”

However, having these protocols does not mean we stop being human beings when we become employees.

Gen X...My People

Gen X...My People

Welcome back to our exploratory series on how each generation functions in the workplace - and why they function that way. So far, we have examined the upbringings, cultural norms, and professional habits of Traditionalists and Baby Boomers. We’ve learned what makes them tick and why they act as they do in professional spaces. Next up...

Generation X. These are my people.

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Millennials: 5 Steps to Make Now to Advance Your Career Faster

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Millennials: 5 Steps to Make Now to Advance Your Career Faster

Today’s professional world is rife with opportunities for entrepreneurs and self-starters to create the life they want if they work hard and leverage their connections. Between the gig economy and the large force of young professionals in the traditional workplace (a combination of Gen X, Gen Y [Millennials], and Gen Z), the way people perceive and achieve professional advancement is changing. However, with the millions of young people entering the workforce today, competition is fierce. Here are 5 steps young professionals can take to differentiate themselves from the competition and move toward quicker advancement, whether climbing a more traditional corporate ladder or pursuing the creation of their own business.

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5 Generations in the Workplace: Who Are They?

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5 Generations in the Workplace: Who Are They?

For the first time ever, there are now 5 unique generations in the workplace. This comes with a vast array of challenges, especially when it comes to communication. These 5 generations are: