Thanks for visiting Blackworkforce.com, a website committed to excellence in the workplace! Here, you’ll find fun stuff, articles and relevant information to help your workday go smoothly! Be sure to check out our pages on the left.
A Tribute To Work Ethic...
Since we are a website dedicated to excellence in the workplace, we thought it best for us to remember Michael Jackson from the perspective of his commitment to his job and dedication to his craft. From the time he first appeared on the entertainment scene in 1969 and even following his death, Michael Jackson was a man who provoked varying opinions about everything from his appearance to his lifestyle. But, whether you are a fan or a foe, the one area of his life that remains undisputed is his incredible…almost super human talent that many say were fueled by his passion for music and his ferocious Work Ethic. According to Thinkexist.com, Michael is quoted as saying, “The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.” Here is what some of the “Masters” have to say about him and his Work Ethic:
Spike Lee, who worked with Jackson on the video, “They Don’t Care About Us,” talked with NPR’s Scott Simon from France about Michael Jackson, his work with him, his legacy, his favorite songs, and the world’s reaction to his death.
Spike Lee: “What really got me… people are talking about, like they’re experts… they don’t know Michael.. they were talking all types of stuff… they might have met the guy one time, but had the people who worked with Michael, who were there, when he was in the studio creating, who was there when they were rehearsing, doing the choreography, let’s talk about the work.”
Scott Simon: “Do you mind telling us… what did you learn from Michael Jackson close up that the other people are missing?”
Spike Lee: “Work Ethic.”
“I’ve met a lot of great athletes, Michael Jordan, recently made a documentary on Kobe Bryant, and these guys are known for their work ethic. And as great as Michael was, and as great as Kobe is, Michael could give those guys a run for their money when it comes to work ethic.”
Article By Antonio "LA" Reid
You can see his influence in the dance moves -- the syncopated choreography -- that a lot of young artists use. And a lot of them have picked up his work ethic. When you look at a Britney Spears production or a Justin Timberlake production, or if you look at an Usher production, you really see that they took a page out of Michael's book; they went to rehearsal, and they must've worked eight hours a day, because their shows are flawless, as Michael's shows were flawless. Love him or hate him, it is clear that Michael Jackson’s work ethic allowed him to create a legacy that will live on throughout the ages. And this aspect of his life….his hard work and dedication to excellence when it came to his music, is something that we can all aspire to achieve within our own respective careers.
Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records
Mr. Gordy said that Mr. Jackson, as a boy, “always wanted to be the best, and he was willing to work as hard as it took to be that. And we could all see that he was a winner at that age. And I’ve always believed winners are winners long before they win. And picking them out before they win is very easy with a Michael Jackson.”
Bad Bosses & The Blame Game
Accountability is the substance for which great working relationships are built. And if there is none, chaos will shortly ensue. Everybody has to answer to somebody. But, what happens when the person or "boss" you answer to is a total moron who blames all of their fowl ups on you? Clearly, this is a frustrating situation. But there are some things you can do to protect your reputation from idiot bosses who attempt to use you as a scapegoat. Let's say that you work in an office or workplace where addressing this with HR is not an option for whatever reason. Then, you'll have to handle things on your own, and not by punching your boss in the face, which might feel good to you momentarily, but is better left as sort of a fantasy you indulge in from time to time. Start by removing the possibility of blame being placed on you by being the best, which might be tricky if your boss is a disorganized spaz who somehow draws you into their mayhem on a daily basis. But, it can be done by using some of the suggestions below:
1). Keep a detailed Schedule of all your activities. The worse your boss is, the more detailed your schedule should be. There have been times when I've had to deal with an idiot boss and I went so far as to schedule my entire day in 10 minute increments, leaving no room for, "Didn't I give this to you....I can't find it, so you must have it." What satisfaction it gave me to say, "Um....no, you didn't give it to me, because it is not recorded on my highly detailed to do list."
2). Ask him or her lot of questions, even if it annoys them. This makes them accountable and forces them to give clear instructions on projects and assignments.
3). Arm yourself with a pen and pad whenever you talk to your BB (bad boss). This is especially helpful if they tend to holler out random tasks in a terrets like fashion and expect you to know what the heck they're talking about. Write down everything they say so that you can get clarification if necessary and get the exact information you need to do your job.
4). Calm Down. When you're being scrutinized at work, it is a known fact that the pressure can make you screw up more. Bad Bosses know this and it is their secret weapon. It is the reason why many of them have been winning at the Blame Game for so long.....because they can direct the attention towards you which allows them to hide their own incompetence. So, calm down. I don't believe you can think and panic at the same time. Never mind other people and their frantic, irrational behavior. You just focus on the task in front of you, pray, count to 3 and do your best!
5). Stay Positive. Any detection of attitude coming from you will only make it easier for the BB to point the finger at you. More than likely if you've been saddled with a bad boss, others around you know of their incompetence and silently sympathize with you, because they've been a victim of your bosses disarray also. Staying positive and maintaining a good working relationship with others makes it increasingly obvious that your boss is the one with the problem.
If all else fails, sharpen up those resumes (or let Insight Resumes do it for you - see the free resume review tab on the right) and read my ebook, "Everything You Need To Know To Get A Job In 30 Days, During Any Economic Climate," available by clicking here:http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=241492
By Curtissa Taylor
Comments about this article can be sent to blackworkforce@yahoo.com
The 10 Commandments of Resume Writing
Procrastination Kills:
Apply as soon as possible. If you wait an hour, in this economy, 500 people will have already applied ahead of you, lessening your chances of your resume being reviewed.
Quantity Counts:
The opportunities are out there. The more resumes you send per day, the higher your chances of receiving a call back. Per ratio, you can expect to receive 1 call back per every forty resumes you send due to the high unemployment rate.
Silly Gets Ignored:
You must get a professional email address. No nick names. Steven.coolbreeze10@yahoo.comor, Kelly.sexylade@aol.com won’t do. Employers will not take you seriously. Use your first name or last name in some combination in the email address.
Use a unique description in the subject line.
Everyone is responding with the title of the position (i.e., Administrative Assistant position posted on Craigslist) Employers are looking for something professional that stands out. Try, i.e, “Qualified Candidate for the Administrative Assistant Position” Experienced Administrative Assistant.” That will set you apart from the other thousands of replies the employer is receiving.
Write a professional cover letter:
None of that, “Hi….I’m applying for.” That is too informal. A structured cover letter tells the employer that you’re intelligent and capable of handling the job that is being offered.
Keep your cover letter brief and to the point.
Cover letters should consist of no more than 3 short paragraphs. Don’t try to cram all of your qualifications and work history into the cover letter. That Is what the Resume is for. Instead, use it to introduce yourself and give areas where your qualifications coincide with the job requirements.
Never, Never, Never include a picture.
Sounds like common sense, but you’d be surprised at the number of people who send photos with their resumes. This is a job search No No and makes you look desperate if you do this. What you look like is not important. Just stick to the facts and what qualifies you for the position.
Keep it short and sweet:
Your resume should be confined to 1 page. If you go over 1 page, you’re including too much information and boring the reviewer to death, if they even take the time to review your lengthily resume. It is better to edit your resume down to 1 page, than to cram your life’s history into 2 or 3 pages, turning the reviewing off as most human minds wonder after 1 page of information.
Never, Never discuss Salary in the cover letter or Resume. It’s that simple. Don’t do it
Wording to Avoid:
In your cover letter, avoid phrases like, “I want to get my foot in the door,” or “I just need a chance.” These phrases portray you as a desperate responder who will do anything to get the job. It also makes you sound like a job hopper….somebody who just wants to get into a company/organization and hop/move up to the next position without given proper regard to the job they were hired for.