regional tensions

Last weekend, I returned from Thailand to Cambodia. I had been in Thailand for regional meetings. Last week, relations between the two Kingdoms, Thailand and Cambodia, started to heat up. The day before we were scheduled to leave Thailand was threatening to close the border between the two kingdoms. We had some staff scheduled to return to a base office by bus, so we bought them plane tickets instead to avoid any hassles if threats became reality. Our team flying in to the capital city experienced no problems in our travel plans due to these tensions.

We have no idea the impact these tensions will ultimately have on our work or staff in the border areas. Last year, we did evacuate the staff once due to imminent military action. In such cases, we have an evacuation plan - though we hope it never comes to that. I anticipate tensions will continue and my prediction is they are likely to escalate. The king in Thailand has lived a long life and his health is failing, power struggles are inevitable during such a transition and after such a long reign.

Please pray for our staff doing work in this difficult area. The people who migrate to the border are desperate and live in some of the poorest conditions in our country. We will not abandon them, but we also want continued safety for our teams.

unplugged

I am currently in Thailand for regional meetings and have limited time on the internet. I will post again when I return to Cambodia.

Notes from a manager, part 3

respect authority: throughout history young people have always thought they know better than those fuddy-duddies that came before them. Even if that is true, there is a respectful way to disagree and input your wisdom constructively in to the process. As a manager I have noticed a serious lack of respect for authority. I blame parents (I can do this still because I have no children of my own and can't be criticized for my parenting). Parents must teach children from a young age to respect authority, respect their elders, and how to respond respectfully when they disagree. When this doesn't happen, I end up dealing with temper tantrums in the conference room with someone who should have grown out of that 20 years ago. There have been times as a manager that I can picture those I supervise as a child. I imagine they acted the same way when they didn't get what they wanted. I've seen those kids at the grocery store who throw a massive fit because their parent said no to a sugar cereal or candy bar. I then picture them in a grown up body doing the same thing when their boss has to say they can't have the promotion they think they deserve because they aren't performing and there are many qualified candidates. Same response - "waaahhh, but I want it." Yeah, there are lots of things in life that I want and don't get. Suck it up and deal with it. In contrast I've delivered difficult news to more mature 20 year olds and when they respond maturely, voicing their frustration and perspective but without all the spoiled-brat-entitlement-issues it won huge points with me. Those who respond like rational adults are more likely to get first crack at the next opportunity. Most managers I know are not on a power trip, they want to see their people succeed professionally and resource them to do that. Most managers I know want to give the people they supervise growth opportunities. Most managers I know are trying desperately to balance a slew of competing priorities from their bosses, peers and subordinates. It is impossible as a manager to please everyone all the time, difficult conversations are just part of the job. It wins points and shows maturity when you understand this and feed in to the process in a rational and constructive way and respect, rather than disrespect, the one placed in that position of authority.

If you are reading these posts and used to work for me or currently work for me, don't get a complex that this might be you - unless we've had these conversations and in that case...well, then it is you.

I write this not to embarrass anyone, but actually with the intention to save others some pain. If you are a young person starting your professional career, learning these simple tips will be to your benefit in the long run.

Notes from a manager, part 2

Internet access: Your computer may have internet access, this is to equip you to do your job. It is not so we can pay you to chat with friends throughout the day, nor to update your twitter or facebook status with every passing thought. Internet access is not provided so you can research your next vacation when you are supposed to be doing a report. I understand that it is impossible to draw clear lines between home and work life, those lines are often blurred. I understand that our working hours are also the working hours of travel agents and banks and those are the best times to get things done. But, please limit your social networking, web browsing, and cell phone time during work hours. I don't pay you to be popular, there is a job to do and productivity does matter.

notes from a manager

I may still be relatively young, but I have been a manager since my first job out of college. That means I have eleven years of management experience to date. I don't say that to brag in any way, in fact there are plenty of days I wish I wasn't "the boss" because being the boss brings with it incredible responsibility and frequent frustration. But that isn't the subject of this post. Since my first job as a manager in 1998 there is something I have noticed and something that I have wanted to say to young people at large...I just decided to say it now in this public forum.

Young people (or anyone for that matter) there are some basic things that can make or break your relationship with your boss. This isn't an exhaustive list, but it does include some common issues:

dress code: I wasn't born in the era where people wore suits to work everyday or their best clothes to get on an airplane. That's a good thing. because in that era I would never have had the opportunities I've been afforded as a woman in my generation. I am okay with business casual most days and then dawning a full suit for special meetings or presentations. I have noticed as a manager a serious lack of pride in personal appearance among young people. They think nothing of coming to work scruffy and wrinkled and sometimes even dirty. It isn't just the creative types that try to get away with this, it seems to be a generational thing. As a manager, I do not want to talk with you about your skirt being too short or your shirt being too low cut because it shows your underwear. I don't want to have to tell you to brush your teeth or use deodorant and comb your hair because it is a hot mess. I don't like having to point out that wearing a Corona shirt, jeans and flip-flops is not appropriate attire at the office even on casual Friday. It wasn't in my job description to have to parent grown people who should know better. If you want to impress your manager, come to the office dressed to work in an office. I've found it also does wonders for professional etiquette while working. Maybe there is something psychological about standing in front of a closet and picking out an outfit. When choosing professional clothing we also put on that attitude.