Teaching PR

A couple of months back, Lauren Vargas recommended Working Mother magazine. I bookmarked it. Last week, Kami Huyse also listed it as something she regularly reads. When two of my most respected bloggers both read the same magazine, it's time to give it a look.

An article in the current issue focuses on "Eleven Reasons to Love Being a Working Mom," and reason #9 really hit home-- "I'm more disciplined now." And how! Lauren recently posted on Kami's superwoman tendencies, but--although I'm not in their category of superwoman--I can probably speak for all three of us in saying that motherhood can (doesn't always) lead to better focus, organization, time management, and self-discipline. I had to learn to prioritize, which means thinking about what's most important to me not just at home but at work, and to be as efficient as possible in order to achieve what is to me an acceptable level of success at work and home. I'm not saying you have to be a mom or even a woman to have this experience, but for me it was catalyzed by becoming a parent.

One of my colleagues commented not too long ago that I was amazingly productive considering that I have a small child at home -- but it's not in spite of, it's because of.

Labels: professionalism, women

Today my students heard from a guest speaker, Shelby Wright, on professional etiquette. Shelby is a former student of mine who has worked mostly in the hospitality industry since graduation. She's told me some mighty interesting stories over the last 10 years about how unprofessional people can be, often without even realizing it.

Some key points from her discussion:

• Business lunches and dinners are not about the meal but about the conversation. Order simple foods and don’t feel you have to finish them; don’t order a drink, but if pressed to do so, accept graciously and sip one drink all evening. Shelby has seen too many people do too many stupid things after drinking. She spent a lot of time going over specific issues (problem foods, which fork to use, the dreaded gristle) and for fun we watched this.
• Always err on the side of being too formal, whether in attire or in calling someone by their title (Dr. or Ms. for example) rather than their first name.
• Keep your personal life and professional life as separate as possible. Of course you’re going to make friends at the workplace, but don’t send that mass e-mail selling stuff for your club, requesting money for somebody’s birthday gift, or telling everyone about your weekend.
• In professional settings, Shelby says the traditional forbidden conversation topics are politics, religion and children. But she adds personal life (such as who you’re dating or not dating) and money to that list.
• Be direct with people who interrupt work with chit-chat, and let them know that you will talk with them when you’ve finished the project you’re working on. And don’t be that person who interrupts someone else.

In general, she suggests observing the culture of the workplace and adapting to it--whether it’s choosing clothes, bringing food to meetings, or celebrating holidays.

Update: here's a student's take on it.

Labels: professionalism, students