"We must accept life for what it actually is—a challenge to our quality without which we should never know of what stuff we are made, or grow to our full stature." -- Robert Louis Stevenson, Scottish novelist.
| Challenging Your Best: Dealing Proactively with the Bright But Bored |
America has enshrined the concept that we're all created equal into the very foundations of our culture. As such, there's also "the American Way," which has unwritten ground rules around certain benchmarks of education, work ethic, intelligence, and drive. However, these expectations of equality doesn't mean we're all the same, though many people misinterpret it that
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| Certainly, some people are unequal, in the sense their average is a notch above the mean. You probably fall into this class yourself, since you're reading this article. I didn't say that as
an attempt at flattery, but as fact. When bright people combine their intelligence with drive and hard work, they typically achieve more than everyone else. If you're in management, you undoubtedly have bright people working for you; ideally, everyone on your team fits the description. In one sense this represents good news, since it can result in much higher team productivity—the most talented workers can be up to
twelve times more productive than their peers. But it does come with its drawbacks, as bright people tend to bore easily when faced with the status quo. When serious boredom sets in, their morale may crash and burn. Often, supercompetent workers end up stuck in unproductive ruts because life comes too easily. Others go the opposite direction, seeking risky behavior that can damage their careers if given free rein. If they get too bored with their jobs, they may just leave for potentially
greener pastures. Just like in school, smart kids can get bored and act out. The solution to this problem? CHALLENGE!
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1. Keep the communication lines wide open. As with almost everything else, communication rules
here. Touch bases regularly with your top employees, and allow them open access to you. Keep an eye on them (without micromanaging), staying constantly alert for signs of boredom. Ask them what they're working on that excites them. |
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Read the rest of the article |
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| Graduation Special from Laura Stack |
Here's the perfect gift for the graduate in your life! SuperCompetent: The Six Keys to Perform at Your Productive Best 60-minute DVD with MP3 audio version included In this competitive economy, just being able to do your job is no longer enough. Competence is expected; you've got to be SuperCompetent to get an edge. Based on Laura's fourth business book of the same title (Wiley,
2010), this is her program on how high potentials can achieve peak performance in the workplace. The new mantra is "buckle down!" These times are about a return to quality rather than quantity; all of us must learn to be competent-and not just plain, old-fashioned competent, but SuperCompetent. Save $20 with coupon code GRAD2014. Coupon good until June 15, 2014. Learn more and buy today! |
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Special Offer From TLNT.com |
As you may be aware, I am frequently featured as a contributor on TLNT.com, a great site that all HR executives should add to their daily reading list. This month they are hosting their first High Performance Workforce (HPW) Summit (http://www.HighPerformanceWorkforceSummit.com/) in Atlanta May 28 and 29, and this is one event that any business focused HR executive should attend. TLNT has allowed me to offer you a discount to attend on my behalf. Please use the discount code HPW14INFL when you register online and you will
save an additional 10% off the registration fee. If you have any specific questions about the event, please call my friend John Hollon, who is the Editor in chief of TLNT and he will gladly discuss the event with you. You can reach John at john@tlnt.com or call 212-671-1181 ext. 812.
Hotlinks/Laura in the News |
Thanks for reading! Make it a productive day.™ |
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All Articles (C) 2014 Laura Stack. All rights reserved. This information may not be distributed, sold, publicly presented, or used in any other manner, except as described below. Permission to reprint all or part of this article in your magazine, e-zine, website, blog, or
organization newsletter is hereby GRANTED, provided: (1) The ENTIRE credit line below is present, (2) the website link to www.TheProductivityPro.com is clickable (LIVE), and (3) you send a copy, PDF, link, tearsheet, etc. of the work in which the article is used when published. This credit line MUST be reprinted in its entirety to use any articles from Laura Stack: (C) 2014 Laura Stack.
Laura Stack is America's premier expert in personal productivity. For over 20 years, her speeches and seminars have helped professionals, leaders, teams, and organizations improve output, execute efficiently, and save time at work. She's the author or coauthor of 10 books, most recently, Execution IS the Strategy. To invite Laura to speak at your next meet or register for her free monthly newsletter, visit www.TheProductivityPro.com. |
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