Thursday, October 21, 2010
This is a book review I had to do for graduate school. Enjoy!
Book Review for “The girl’s guide to being a boss (without being a bxxxx)
“The girl’s guide to being a boss (without being a bxxxx) written by Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio is a very informative book loaded with very practical information that can be implemented easily. These phenomenal women wrote this book to empower women to become better leaders than their male counterparts. Women do not have good female role models and continue to make the same mistakes of being overbearing, brassy, or possessive. This book has several stories from female bosses that provide some great role models. Any woman who finds herself promoted to boss would benefit from this book. It also gives some great examples of the pitfalls of being the boss and how to avoid those pitfalls. One example of a pitfall given in the book is the trap of bad behavior.
This book was written out of thought and research. Kim and Caitlin run their own small business and have made some of the same bad behavior choices that make being a female and the boss a potent combination. They give viable information that is sure to assist any woman climbing the cooperate ladder. It gives the good, the bad, and the ugly of becoming the boss. It is very realistic in the expectations placed on the female in the role of boss.
This book covers many aspects of being the boss. It shares the reality of loneliness at the top. This book does not recommend being friends with, drink with, and socialize with your employees. I think this is very sound advice because it can cause employees to become self-conscious about not being the “favorite”. It also gives very practical tips on balancing family and job responsibilities. It discusses how delegation can be key for any successful boss. Delegation is not a dirty word but a way to ensure that employees know their value. It gives the boss opportunities to teach each employee, and to help each employee grow. It also helps the boss to prevent limiting their own professional success by doing everything on their own. One piece of usable advice that was given was to be on time when calling a meeting. It is rude and inconsiderate to make the employees wait when the boss has called a meeting and then doesn’t show up. It is important to be respectful of their time. It is necessary to find the strengths of the team and encourage each person to fulfill their potential. According to the authors of this book it takes more than encouragement to help employees to be successful. It takes training so the smart, hard worker has the skills to do their job effectively.
One of the best chapters in the book is about the evaluation process. If the boss is regularly checking in on the employees then nothing in the evaluation should come as a surprise to the employee. Day to day contact with their work will help the boss to give feedback through out the year so if they do have an area of concern it won’t surprise them. As much as reviews are dreaded they are necessary and recommended to do reviews four times a year. Only one of the four evaluations would be for a raise. The other three are to assist in the coaching process of mentoring your employees. It also gives plenty of opportunity to bring up concerns so if the employee is in jeopardy of being fired then there is no surprise. It gives them a fair opportunity and time frame to correct any shortcomings they are experiencing. The book even gives a sample review. This could be very helpful to a boss who is running a small business and needs a review process. While discussing the review process the five most common evaluation mistakes were incorporated. This information is so valuable to the new boss who may be doing the very first evaluations of their career. The other part of being the boss that I am sure is hated is the discipline of employees to include firing an employee. The book outlines what a drag this part of the job is but also how necessary this part of the job is. It is so thorough that it even gives some legal advice to consider along the way to firing an employee.
I enjoyed reading this book because it is well written in easy language. I think the authors provided the information they intended to provide. This book gave very practical information about taking care of oneself ‘s own needs first. If the boss isn’t healthy, rested, and cared for, then they cannot possibly care for the needs of their employees. The other practical information was about communication. Communication is the key! Set goals and then communicate them to the employees. It was noted that even with good communication an employee must be paid a worthy salary. If another employer offers a significant amount of money and half as much communication and employee is likely to take it. The ten practical steps to communicating your appreciation is very sensible information that will help to gain trust and good will from your employees. Everyone likes to feel appreciated and this information can help the boss to inexpensively show appreciation.
I would recommend this book to any woman who is focused on becoming the boss. It gives practical information on how to be a great boss but not and emotional boss. While at the same time, it gives a realistic view of expectations when a woman becomes the boss. I liked the examples it gave throughout the book to head off any of the issues that may arise. I am sure they were not able to cover all the scenarios in a little over 200 pages, but they did cover several that one may see in the time they are the boss. It is an easy read while it continues to hold your attention.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Fun for the Fall!
Well, I know I haven't been here for awhile. I am taking three graduate school courses this semester. I am super duper busy. Life is good. Miss mommy and daddy, but thankful for each new day I am blessed with.
We have had some changes in the house. We have two young ladies living with us. They are in Master's Commission and we are their home openers. We must be crazy!
Hope you have a great fall!
We have had some changes in the house. We have two young ladies living with us. They are in Master's Commission and we are their home openers. We must be crazy!
Hope you have a great fall!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
That time of the year!
Here we are! That time of the year!
Two years ago I spent my spring break with my dad and mom. Daddy died within 5 weeks. Last year I spent a few days of my break with mommy and she died 2 weeks later..... well it is spring break again. The good news.... no parent is left to die. The bad news..... no parent is left to die.
As I go thru the mundane parts of life I continue to feel the pain of not having my parents. I applied for my passport today and had to report my parents names and birth dates. My brain wouldn't even work... I couldn't even call to find them out. I had to try to figure it out and I couldn't even do simple math! It is amazing how our brains stop working at moments like that! I hope I got the dates right and I hope if I got them wrong it won't keep me from receiving my passport! I still miss mommy and daddy. I hope my brain will start working eventually!
Now, you may be asking why I need a passport. Well, Elisabeth and I are going on a mission trip this summer. We will spend 12 days in Venezuela! We are excited! We are preparing to send out support letters. We need prayer and financial support! Please pray for us. If you want to make a donation they should be sent to our church. We go to Raleigh First Assembly of God. Just put Venezuela in the memo with our names. They are tax deductible. Some of you will get letters in the mail... lucky you! :o)
Seriously, please pray. We need Jesus to go with us, and before us! Blessings!
Two years ago I spent my spring break with my dad and mom. Daddy died within 5 weeks. Last year I spent a few days of my break with mommy and she died 2 weeks later..... well it is spring break again. The good news.... no parent is left to die. The bad news..... no parent is left to die.
As I go thru the mundane parts of life I continue to feel the pain of not having my parents. I applied for my passport today and had to report my parents names and birth dates. My brain wouldn't even work... I couldn't even call to find them out. I had to try to figure it out and I couldn't even do simple math! It is amazing how our brains stop working at moments like that! I hope I got the dates right and I hope if I got them wrong it won't keep me from receiving my passport! I still miss mommy and daddy. I hope my brain will start working eventually!
Now, you may be asking why I need a passport. Well, Elisabeth and I are going on a mission trip this summer. We will spend 12 days in Venezuela! We are excited! We are preparing to send out support letters. We need prayer and financial support! Please pray for us. If you want to make a donation they should be sent to our church. We go to Raleigh First Assembly of God. Just put Venezuela in the memo with our names. They are tax deductible. Some of you will get letters in the mail... lucky you! :o)
Seriously, please pray. We need Jesus to go with us, and before us! Blessings!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Fighting
Monday, February 8, 2010
Scholarship!
I was chosen to receive a thousand dollar scholarship! I am so humbled, thrilled, and thankful! God always supplies. Since I am paying cash and taking it slow, every penny helps! I never thought I would receive a scholarship and I guarantee some of my grade school, junior high school and high school teachers didn't either! Mommy would be proud!
Wednesday would have been mommy and daddy's wedding anniversary! They are spending it with Jesus! There is peace in that knowledge.
Joel's sister is still very ill and running amuck! Please, continue to pray for his family.
Blessings!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Where are you going?
Ever feel like you are spinning your wheels? Lately, I have felt very much like that. During the "snowed" in time, I have diligently worked on my homework. It is still not done. I don't mean to sound like a complainer! It is just a lot of work. The book is not that great either. I am using google for terms not found in the book. That helps, provided it is the correct term. I have a test coming up and I really want to do well. I have decided I want to get at least a B in the class. I know I should have a higher goal, but I am being realistic! I, naturally, would be tickled to have the A, but......
Joel's sister is very sick. She is not physically sick, but mentally ill. Those words are hard to write. It is so sad to see the young lady with so much potential be non-functional. I try to understand but most of all pray for her. It is difficult when she continues to put herself in bad situations. Joel's parents are broken over the situation. Please pray for them also.
I hope I get where I am going... and I hope you get where you are going! Blessings bloggy friends! :o)
Monday, February 1, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Snow Day!
We had a great snow day! We have 6 inches of snow outside. I have worked on homework a good part of the day. I didn't even do any laundry: I always do laundry on Saturday! I even baked some homemade oatmeal raisin cookies and homemade mac and cheese! I have never made oatmeal cookies before and they turned out really good. Of course, there were some without raisins for the man who won't eat them with raisins. :o) I love him anyway!
We moved my desk into the corner of my bedroom. Why you ask? Well, the dining room was too noisy and it was annoying to keep asking everyone to be quiet. I found I was able to concentrate better in my quiet bedroom. Only problem... now everyone comes to my room and makes noise! LOL! Oh well, I am just thankful that I am loved! As for my class, I am still struggling along. Hopefully now that I have a more quite place to work I will "get" it! Getting that 4.0 has really caused me to pressure myself to get it again. Oh, be praying, I applied for a scholarship! I sure could use the money to pay towards my classes! I know God will provide no matter what!
God is good and I am thankful! The snow is beautiful! Hope your day was blessed!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Trapped!
It has been a very busy week. I have worked 60 hours this week! WHEW! I feel like I could have easily worked another 60 and still not be done! I have been feeling a little trapped! Much like this cat!
Glad to be at the weekend! Now, I just need to get some homework done! Hope this weekend takes it slow and easy! :o)
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