Employees How to Push Back Without Putting Yourself at Risk

Employees How to Push Back Without Putting Yourself at Risk Employees How to Push Back Without Putting Yourself at Risk Employees How to Push Back Without Putting Yourself at RiskIn high-risk military situations, theres no time for deliberation. You have to trust the people around you to process information and make decisions quickly, and you must execute without question.Several years ago, I welches in this kind of situation. A senior officer ordered me to put my soldiers in harms way I braved the consequences and respectfully offered a safer, equally effective course of action. I got an earful that day. However, he accepted my recommendation, and the mission was accomplished without exposing people to unnecessary risk.Employees in the gammeln workplace face similar dilemmas. In some organizations, management expects employees to simply follow orders, making it uncomfortable (and costly) to disagree.Know When to Speak UpComplying with requests you dont agree with can result in a num ber of consequences, from feelings of resentment to prison time.Its important to consider which situations you can live with and which ones arent worth the risk. Here are four scenarios in which you should feel comfortable disagreeing The request is clearly unethical and/or illegal. Standing up for whats right is always worthwhile, even if you face negative consequences in the short term. If you go along, youll be responsible for the legal and emotional ramifications - it may cost you your reputation or career or harm someone else. From Enron to Bernie Madoff, there are plenty of names who failed to step up and paid the price. The situation puts people at risk. Beyond ethical dilemmas, people are asked to cut corners or put peoples health and welfare at risk. This pressure can be made explicit or manifest subtly, pushing people to behave recklessly.My first post-college job involved inspecting global petroleum shipments coming into New York Harbor. This involved irregular schedules, long hours, and an inherently dangerous work environment. The job also required driving from facility to facility. After falling asleep at the wheel for the third time from sheer exhaustion - and talking to my supervisor about it, with no change - I quit. The situation directly conflicts with your personal values. It can be especially uncomfortable to stand up for your personal convictions. If you dont, youll create an uncomfortable work environment for yourself and be forced to consciously behave in an inauthentic way. Living with your decision can be debilitating and spur animosity toward your job and employer. You work in an environment that values debate and pushback. Organizational cultures that value diversity and discussion believe that the best ideas come to light only when team members can speak openly. This can be seen in Googles weekly free-for-all staff meeting or in academic settings, where the underlying belief is that the best ideas and theories can withstand rigorou s debate.Push Back Without Putting Yourself at RiskEach scenario requires a different approach to balance your beliefs with your companys request for your cooperation. Heres a four-step process to move forward in a tough spot1. Understand the culture.How you approach dissent depends on the unwritten code of behavior in your workplace. Its important to assess the way people communicate with one another the wrong approach may create unnecessary friction.For example, if your workplace welcomes feedback, pushing back is not only acceptable - its expected. Environments with mora rigid structures will demand that you move your concerns up the proper channels to avoid stepping on anyones toes.2. Ask for clarification.If you have an ethical concern, a personal values dilemma, or a disagreement, you can sometimes painlessly resolve the situation by asking, So what youre asking me to do is...? Verifying the request will clarify whats being asked. This will also send the message that it isnt s itting well with you and give the higher-up a chance to reconsider.3. Be honest.If youre still conflicted after taking these steps, its time to let your supervisor know that youre not comfortable complying. Schedule a private meeting to talk about your concerns, and dont approach it in a confrontational way.Offer an alternate solution that works in the best interests of both you and your organization. You can also ask management for a second option. This dialogue ensures that youre working together toward a resolution.4. Take the concern up the line or move on.When your oben liegend still expects you to carry out the task - whether its completing a financial transaction or adopting a sleep-debilitating schedule - you have a tough decision to make. For more severe unethical or illegal behaviors, you should bring the problem to the next level of seniority.How you do this depends on your organizations structure, but it might mean taking your concerns to your supervisors superior or hum an resources. In extreme cases, you may need to leave the work environment before it negatively impacts your career or reputation.True leaders live by their sense of right and wrong. This can put you at odds with your boss, your organization, or your teammates. If you disagree with a co-worker, present your case professionally to help him see it your way - and take a dismissive response as a sign that its time to move on to a company that will.Chris Cancialosi, Ph.D., is managing partner and founder atgothamCulture. The team at gothamCulture focuses on identifying the underlying causes of organizational obstacles and assisting leaders in developing and executing breakthrough strategies to elevate performance.The team provides critical, thought-provoking insights to leaders who desire to use organizational culture and leadership as key drivers of performance.Reprinted with permissionfrom CareerCast.com, Adicio Inc. All rights reserved.Employees How to Push Back Without Putting Yourse lf at Risk Employees How to Push Back Without Putting Yourself at RiskIn high-risk military situations, theres no time for deliberation. You have to trust the people around you to process information and make decisions quickly, and you must execute without question.Several years ago, I was in this kind of situation. A senior officer ordered me to put my soldiers in harms way I braved the consequences and respectfully offered a safer, equally effective course of action. I got an earful that day. However, he accepted my recommendation, and the mission was accomplished without exposing people to unnecessary risk.Employees in the modern workplace face similar dilemmas. In some organizations, management expects employees to simply follow orders, making it uncomfortable (and costly) to disagree.Know When to Speak UpComplying with requests you dont agree with can result in a number of consequences, from feelings of resentment to prison time.Its important to consider which situations you ca n live with and which ones arent worth the risk. Here are four scenarios in which you should feel comfortable disagreeing The request is clearly unethical and/or illegal. Standing up for whats right is always worthwhile, even if you face negative consequences in the short term. If you go along, youll be responsible for the legal and emotional ramifications - it may cost you your reputation or career or harm someone else. From Enron to Bernie Madoff, there are plenty of names who failed to step up and paid the price. The situation puts people at risk. Beyond ethical dilemmas, people are asked to cut corners or put peoples health and welfare at risk. This pressure can be made explicit or manifest subtly, pushing people to behave recklessly.My first post-college job involved inspecting global petroleum shipments coming into New York Harbor. This involved irregular schedules, long hours, and an inherently dangerous work environment. The job also required driving from facility to facilit y. After falling asleep at the wheel for the third time from sheer exhaustion - and talking to my supervisor about it, with no change - I quit. The situation directly conflicts with your personal values. It can be especially uncomfortable to stand up for your personal convictions. If you dont, youll create an uncomfortable work environment for yourself and be forced to consciously behave in an inauthentic way. Living with your decision can be debilitating and spur animosity toward your job and employer. You work in an environment that values debate and pushback. Organizational cultures that value diversity and discussion believe that the best ideas come to light only when team members can speak openly. This can be seen in Googles weekly free-for-all staff meeting or in academic settings, where the underlying belief is that the best ideas and theories can withstand rigorous debate.Push Back Without Putting Yourself at RiskEach scenario requires a different approach to balance your be liefs with your companys request for your cooperation. Heres a four-step process to move forward in a tough spot1. Understand the culture.How you approach dissent depends on the unwritten code of behavior in your workplace. Its important to assess the way people communicate with one another the wrong approach may create unnecessary friction.For example, if your workplace welcomes feedback, pushing back is not only acceptable - its expected. Environments with more rigid structures will demand that you move your concerns up the proper channels to avoid stepping on anyones toes.2. Ask for clarification.If you have an ethical concern, a personal values dilemma, or a disagreement, you can sometimes painlessly resolve the situation by asking, So what youre asking me to do is...? Verifying the request will clarify whats being asked. This will also send the message that it isnt sitting well with you and give the higher-up a chance to reconsider.3. Be honest.If youre still conflicted after t aking these steps, its time to let your supervisor know that youre not comfortable complying. Schedule a private meeting to talk about your concerns, and dont approach it in a confrontational way.Offer an alternate solution that works in the best interests of both you and your organization. You can also ask management for a second option. This dialogue ensures that youre working together toward a resolution.4. Take the concern up the line or move on.When your superior still expects you to carry out the task - whether its completing a financial transaction or adopting a sleep-debilitating schedule - you have a tough decision to make. For more severe unethical or illegal behaviors, you should bring the problem to the next level of seniority.How you do this depends on your organizations structure, but it might mean taking your concerns to your supervisors superior or human resources. In extreme cases, you may need to leave the work environment before it negatively impacts your career o r reputation.True leaders live by their sense of right and wrong. This can put you at odds with your boss, your organization, or your teammates. If you disagree with a co-worker, present your case professionally to help him see it your way - and take a dismissive response as a sign that its time to move on to a company that will.Chris Cancialosi, Ph.D., is managing partner and founder atgothamCulture. The team at gothamCulture focuses on identifying the underlying causes of organizational obstacles and assisting leaders in developing and executing breakthrough strategies to elevate performance.The team provides critical, thought-provoking insights to leaders who desire to use organizational culture and leadership as key drivers of performance.Reprinted with permissionfrom CareerCast.com, Adicio Inc. All rights reserved.

6 Benefits of Volunteerism for Your Finance Team

6 Benefits of Volunteerism for Your Finance Team6 Benefits of Volunteerism for Your Finance TeamTheres nothing like a good team-building exercise to increase trust and enhance collaboration in the workplace. Managers typically plan games, special meals or recreational sports to help build camaraderie among employees in their organization. But as fun as these activities are, many finance leaders seek mora meaningful ways to engage and develop their staff - and create more positive benefits for the geschftliches miteinander, as well.One reason for this trend is the growing emphasis on corporate social responsibility programs, such as charitable giving or volunteer community service. For many businesses, philanthropy and volunteerism are now integral partes of their organizational culture as well as cornerstones of environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. In a recent Management Resources survey, 80% of finance leaders said that corporate social responsibility programs ar e important for their firms.When well-organized and supported with appropriate resources, corporate social responsibility programs like volunteer community service can create significant benefits for companies and their employees. Here are six examples1. Bonding with colleaguesPlanting trees alongside the companys chief financial officer (CFO) or picking up roadside litter with the payroll director is a great way to break down silos and bring management and employees closer. Collaborating on a worthy cause is often a better way of really getting to know one another than making a minute or two of polite small talk during an all-company picnic or holiday party.2. Skills acquisitionUntangling a human knot or breaking out of an escape room is a fine way to refine soft skills in problem solving, communication and leadership. But wouldnt it be much more rewarding for employees to boost those skills while laboring together on real-life issues and helping people in need? Your team can expan d their abilities while building affordable homes in your local community, for example.Volunteerism also enhances your employees sense of empathy and customer service - and adds positivity to your companys reputation in your community.3. A sense of achievementJobs in accounting and finance are rewarding. So, too, are nonprofit projects. They also have a tangible and satisfying end goal, be it to collect a certain number of toys for children in need at the holidays or remove invasive plants from a nearby park.A shared accomplishment outside of day-to-day duties can really help to boost team morale. In the Management Resources survey mentioned earlier in this post, 71% of CFOs said increased employee morale was a key benefit of corporate social responsibility programs, like volunteer community service.See an infographic of the survey results here.4. Health benefitsVolunteerism can have a positive impact on a persons health and well-being. By volunteering, you and your employees can i ncrease your activity levels if you opt for physical service projects like cleaning, building or planting. Whats more, when you help others, your brain releases endorphins that create a host of positive feelings, and these natural substances help you de-stress.5. Recruitment and retentionAn organization that embraces corporate social responsibility sends the message that it values compassion, citizenship, integrity and environmentalism - which is the type of company that many professionals today seek to be a part of. Corporate culture can be a make-or-break factor when people choose where to work - and whether they stick around for the long term.6. Enhanced reputationMany consumers consider a companys philanthropic activities when deciding where to spend their money, as they feel better about supporting businesses that reflect their values and give back to the community. By publicizing your corporate social responsibility or ESG initiatives, youre letting your current and future c ustomers know just what your brand stands for.Tips for setting up a volunteer programA commitment to volunteerism at your company needs to be supported by appropriate focus and investment to be successful. Dont simply chase trends or leave the effort to interns. So, before signing your finance team up for the next fun run or beach cleanup you hear about, take the following suggestions into accountFind suitable causes. Work on service projects that align with your companys mission and core values. A good partnership, for example, would be between a supermarket chain and an organization that works to reduce food waste. For companies in just about any industry, volunteering at food banks or collecting school supplies for disadvantaged children are rarely the wrong choice.Give time and money. A great way to double your impact is for the business to donate both labor and dollars to the causes you choose to support, such as through a corporate sponsorship of a philanthropic event. You cou ld also give employees the option of contributing money in lieu of - or in addition to - their service.Offer flexibility. The biggest barrier to volunteerism success is finding enough time to devote to giving back. So, if you want your employees to have the gelegenheit to get involved, offer a choice of opportunities whenever possible. Also, make sure your team members know how much you would like to see them participate.Make it a group effort. Volunteering is a worthwhile activity on its own. But to reap the most value from it, youll want to get your entire team involved. Holding service projects during workdays is one way to maximize participation. Also, consider giving your employees paid time off to do volunteer work. A recent survey found that nearly half (49%) of U.S. businesses embrace this practice.Think local. There are needs all over the world, to be sure. But to help drive employee involvement in your companys volunteer program, consider aiming for projects that your te am members can easily participate in, in person, and which make a difference in the local community.While corporate social responsibility initiatives require time, effort and other resources to be successful, they are a worthwhile investment. They can generate many positives for your business - including a more-connected finance team that works better together. So, if important soft skills can be honed through helping others rather than paying for off-site corporate getaways, the question CFOs should be asking themselves is not Why should our team volunteer? but Why on earth wouldnt we?

10 High-Paying Jobs With Tons of Open Positions

10 High-Paying Jobs With Tons of Open Positions10 High-Paying Jobs With Tons of Open Positions Its easy to look at someone with a great salary and think about how lucky they are. But the truth is, high-paying jobs arent as rare as they seem - in fact, theyre often the ones with the most available positions. While you might first need to develop a special set of skills or pursue a particular degree, there are many in-demand jobs with high salaries that are only increasing by the minute as employers struggle to fill them with qualified candidates. So if one of the following positions looks interesting to you, dont wait - apply today before everyone else gets in on themAs a project manager, youll be responsible for leading projects from inception to execution. Common tasks involve managing a budget, setting timelines, delegating tasks and serving as a liaison between teams to ensure that everything is going smoothly. While a college degree is not necessarily requir ed, many Project Managers have bachelors or masters degrees, and possibly a Project Management Professional certification as well.Interested in the medical field and helping others, but dont want to attend medical school? A Physician Assistant position might be perfect for you. Physician Assistants perform many of the same tasks as doctors, such as examining and diagnosing patients, writing prescriptions and performing medical procedures under the supervision of a physician. But unlike doctors, Physician Assistants only need to attend a two-year long graduate program.You hardly ever run into a list of great jobs that doesnt include Software Engineer, and for good reason. With how important smartphones, computers and the Internet have become in our daily lives, companies need plenty of talented people to help them create cutting-edge technology, and truly skilled individuals can be hard to come by. In the future, this field is only expected to get hotter - the Bureau of Labor Statis tics predicts a 24 percent job growth between 2016 and 2026.Part art and part science, Marketing Managers leverage both creative and analytical skills in buchen to promote their companys products or services. No two marketing manager positions are quite the same, but given the abundance of different fields of marketing out there - digital, social media, inbound, email, etc. - youre sure to find something up your alley.Like Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners are medical professionals who take on many of the same tasks as doctors. They can examine patients, order and interpret tests, diagnose illnesses and come up with treatment plans, sometimes without the supervision of a doctor depending on where they practice. In order to be able to perform these additional responsibilities, Nurse Practitioners must attend a two-year graduate program to receive their Master of Science in Nursing.Business Analysts can take on a wide variety of projects in a wide variety of fields, but no m atter their specialty, they all use data to improve processes. By gathering, examining and synthesizing information to understand patterns and trends, they are able to glean insight into what actions a company should take. As a result, they oftenhelp companies improve profits,increase productivity and promote efficiency.Operations Managers are tasked with ensuring that geschftlicher umganges are running smoothly. They often analyze different functions of the business in order to determinetheir performance, then come up with solutions to improve their efficacy. On a day-to-day basis, this might involve analyzing data, creating reports, planning with teams and more.Occupational Therapists help those with disabilities and injuries build up the strength and skills necessary to perform daily tasks. By assessing patients anddeveloping a treatment plan, they are able to help them regain their agency. In order to become an Occupational Therapist, you must earn both a bachelors degree and en roll in a two-year masters program where you learn about anatomy, kinesiology, therapeutic technology and patient care and communication.From computers to cell phones to robots and more, Electrical Engineers design and build just about any electrical device you can think of. Because of this, theyre in high demand in many different fields, such as technological hardware, aerospace and defense, green energy and automotives. Electrical Engineers typically have a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering, where they learn the fundamental concepts of physics, electromagnetism and electricity.As you might be able to tell by the name, Product Managers are the leads for a particular product. This might involve laying out the product roadmap, doing user research, conducting competitive analysis, working with engineers and product marketers, etc. While Product Managers arent always required to have technical skills, it never hurts to have a solid background in d evelopment.