Generation Integration: Roberta Matuson Unites Boomers, X-ers and Millennials in the Workplace

Holiday Party Tips For This Year's Office Gathering

I've seen more careers hit the skids during the holiday times than any other time of the year. Here's why. Employees, (particularly younger employees), mistakenly believe that it's ok to let your guard down and have fun during the holiday festivities. I'm not saying that it's not ok to have some fun. However, I would suggest you save your heavy partying for the gathering that you will be having with friends later on in the season.

Here are some tips to ensure that you are able to return to the office with the same status that you arrived with.

• Limit your drinking-One, maybe two drinks at the most. I know, it's free booze and who in this economy couldn't use a free drink? Anything more and you may not be fully in control of your faculties. If you are still thirsty after hitting your limit, switch over to a club soda.

• Keep your dance moves in check-Dancing erotically to Beyonce's, "Single Ladies" may get lots of laughs, but think of how you'll be perceived the next day when you are the talk of the office. It's difficult to be seen as someone who has high potential if you are forever remembered as the person who took over the dance floor.

• Leave the cleavage at home-I love holiday dresses. So sexy and sparkly. Makes a gal want to dance the night away and in some cases, do crazy things. If you want to buy a sexy dress for the holidays, then be sure you have a jacket you can put over it for the office party. This is not the time nor the place to be mistaken for one of Santa's cute little elves.

• Don't drag your spouse if they don't want to go-Not everyone feels comfortable in a social setting where they don't know many people. If your spouse doesn't want to attend, give them permission to take a pass. You'll be glad you did. 

• Don't be  the last to leave-The party may be great, but know when it's time to go. Never be the last one to leave or you will be known as the guy or gal who closed the party down.

Anyone willing to share lessons they've learned from holiday gatherings that didn't go as planned?

Giving Thanks

It's the time of year when we take a few moments to think about what we are grateful for. Besides, family, friends and my health, I am particularly grateful that there are differences in the generations. Think of how boring life would be if we were all the same.

I am grateful that my children are learning how to use computers before they have mastered the art of cursive writing. Why? Because I am quite proficient with my cursive handwriting. It's the technology piece that I could use a bit of help with. So much so that I just purchased a new Mac and have signed up for lessons so I can figure out how to be one of those happy Mac users I see in the commercials.

I am grateful that The Traditionalists have kept us grounded through this recession. Many have been raised during the depression and are there to remind us that we will survive this recession, even if we have to drive our three-year old car one more year.

I'm thankful that the Gen Xer's are waiting patiently for the Boomers to retire so they can experience the view from the corner office. I believe these employees are forcing Boomers to continue to play their "A" game.

I am thankful that I am a Boomer. All those years competing to make it in this world have made me what I am today. Now if I could just chill out a bit, I would be able to achieve work/life balance.

May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and don't forget to save room for dessert!

Summer Retreat

Today's on-line New York Times features a beautiful animated piece on what it feels like to leave your summer home at the end of the season. A perfect short video to watch before packing your car for the last time and heading home to begin the school year.

Summer Retreat, by Jeff Scher

Enjoy.

Grabbing the Brass Ring

The other day we were in Oaks Bluff, on Martha's Vineyard.  My nine-year old daughter grabbed the brass ring while riding The Flying Horses Carousel, the nation's oldest platform carousel still in operation. What an exciting moment for her. No, she didn't win the million dollar sweepstakes, nor did confetti start pouring down on everyone. That didn't matter to her. She had hit the jackpot and she knew it. She got to ride the carousel for free and she didn't have to wait in a line for the privilege.

Over the years, she has ridden on this carousel and had her share of disappointments. But in her heart, she knew if she kept trying, eventually her number would come up.

How many times have you been close to grabbing the brass ring? Did you eventually give up or are you still trying?

Summer Time...The Perfect Time to Kick Things Up a Notch!

Most people think of summer as a time to relax and enjoy the weather. This is exactly the reason why this is the time to kick things up a notch! Doesn't matter if we are talking about marketing, sales or even a job search. You have three entire months to move forward, while others are standing still.

Think about it. Suppose you were going to run a marathon and you were told that 90% of the racers would begin the race three hours after you started. So here you are, running out of the gate without worrying about bumping into others or finding some space in the crowded field of competitors. You get to set a comfortable pace to reach your objective of sprinting over the finish line. You'd be crazy not to give it a go!

So why are so many people sitting on the sidelines waiting for some miracle to happen? Before you can win the race, you have to get out of your own way. By that I mean, you have to stop listening to the little person in your head who keeps telling you that "we can't afford to do this." "No one is spending money these days." "Who on earth would hire a 52-year old worker?" You determine your future. Not some crazy little voice that keeps bopping in and out of your head.

You have at least four weeks left of the summer to take some action. Get going, before you wind up at the back of the line along with the others, who will be wondering come fall, why they are in the same exact place they were in June.

Would You Like Some Cheese With That Whine?

I don't know about you, but I'm sick and tired of hearing how bad things are. This is usually said by those who would rather complain than do something about things. History always finds a way of repeating of itself. This means that we will eventually get ourselves out of this economic situation. But we won't do so by sitting around and whining.

On a personal note, I've decided to declare this summer the "Summer of Me." By that I mean, I'm going to take care of my own physical health, before I place the oxygen mask on members of my family. Sound selfish? Good. I place everyone's needs before mine nine months out of the year. It's my turn to achieve the fitness goals that I've set out for myself over and over again.

I've replaced my whining with action. I suggest that my clients do the same. That's why I've just produced this special report, Recession: Opportunity For Massive Growth . Nothing is going to change in your life or in your business if you do nothing. This quiet time, for most businesses, is the perfect opportunity to focus on putting all those ideas that you've shelved, on the front burner.

Together, we can make history repeat itself. Please join me .

Change of Scenery

I don't know about you, but I sure could benefit from a change of scenery. In fact, as of Monday, this will be my view for the summer. I suppose I could exaggerate a bit by saying that this is the view from my office. But that wouldn't be 100% true. Let's just say that I'll be taking meetings here and using this as my lunch room, as office space is quite dear near the ocean. 

Summers here in New England are quite short. That's why I feel the need to embrace every moment of it that I can. I'll do some thinking here, a bit of writing and a whole lot of "networking." 

I'm clearing the deck so that I can clear my mind. I suggest you do the same. Maybe instead of the beach, you'll head to the mountains. Or perhaps you'll take a full hour for lunch. Do something that will rejuvenate your spirit, so you are refreshed and able to recommit to whatever it is that you are doing. 

If you are in the neighborhood, stop by. Just be sure to bring your lotion.

Is It Time for an Attitude Adjustment?

I've been feeling a bit funky lately. Maybe it's the gloomy weather we've been having here on the East Coast or maybe it's all the doom and gloom that I've been writing about regarding the economy. I'm thinking it's time for an attitude adjustment.

I like to practice what I preach. I have re channeled all of my energy into completing my new Special Report titled Recession: Opportunity to Grow. I'll post a link as soon as it's on my web site. I've strengthened my bio and platform for my book proposal and I'm taking Fast Company by storm with my new expert blog called the Management Escalator. I feel better all ready and am going to move a few more things forward a mile, rather than my usual of moving 10 things forward an inch (Thanks Alan Weiss for that one!)

So what are you going to do this week to readjust your attitude? What are you willing to let go of? What are you willing to take on? Do something. Or before you know it, another week will have gone by and you'll be chugging along slowly with that same old attitude weighing you down.

What Have You Done For Someone Else Lately?

In this economy, it is so easy to get wrapped up in yourself. But what if you took all of this energy and began using it to help move someone else forward? You could apply this concept to either your personal life or your business life, or even both.

On a personal note, you could take some time out of your day to look in on an aging neighbor. Or better yet, offer to pick up a few items for someone the next time you are at the market.

From a business perspective, consider what may be weighing your boss down and then begin devising a plan to take a few items off of his/her plate. In addition to Brownie points, you may also pick up a few more skills that could set you up nicely for your next position.

Shifting your mindset can do wonders to your outlook. And a new perspective is something we could all use to get through this economy.

Is the Economy Helping Us to Get Along Better?

Are the generations learning to get along better at work? Or is the economy creating a diversion for the conflict that exists?

It seems like young and old both realize that to survive we must all be rowing in the same direction. Of course it would have been nice to learn this lesson without all of the other side effects we are seeing from this recession.

It will be a while before we safely maneuver through this economy. Keep the lines of communication open, the direction clear and your team on track and you should see smooth waters ahead.