Moving to the Gulf Coast has, so far, been a very beneficial experience for me. Anyone who served in the military knows that there is a profound difference in the military “inside the beltway” and the military “outside of the beltway.” One of the positive aspects of being outside of the beltway is that it is giving me an opportunity to assess some of the real problems that the military family is facing without the “gloss” of politics, power and position that can occur “inside the beltway.”
For example, I realize now how many military families are terrified of the upcoming draw-down and are truly concerned for their families’ welfare.
Defense contractors, too, are fearful and are operating their companies from a scarcity mentality instead of a proactive one, laying off their most experienced and skilled workers in favor of keeping the younger, less skilled personnel because they are cheaper and don’t require as many benefits.
Then, they are blaming the resulting loss of government contracts on the “drawdown” instead of placing the blame on the one who really earned it, that would be the one who came up with the bright idea of cutting the skilled labor force in the first place.
When you lose your skilled labor force, you are not just losing their experience but also who they know as well. Contractors are finding out all too late that what really kept a company growing wasn’t Bill in sales but Bob on the QA line that made a few calls that kept everything moving and everybody paid.
So, if you’ve got the “drawdown blues,” please consider our Transition Assistance Reverse Boot Camp Intensive Program. We show military veterans how to succeed. Guaranteed. We show you what employers really want and what it really takes to get and keep a good job. We show you how to maximize your skill set and find the job of your dreams not just accept the inevitable and settle for any job you can get. We show you where your real aptitude and strengths lie and give you the soft skills that will put you back in the driver’s seat of your own life.
We look forward to welcoming you here on the Emerald Coast. Because you fought for the American Dream, now it’s your turn to live it.
How to take “constructive criticism” on the job …
One of the key skills we teach at during the Transition Assistance Coaching Reverse Boot camp Intensive Program is how to take “constructive criticism” on the job. (Read ahem…butt-chewing)
We all make mistakes. It’s how we handle the situation when we make a mistake that can cost us our position, not making the mistake. So, here’s a great tip on how to take constructive criticism without losing face or losing your job.
Your boss has called you into their office. They proceed to give you a thorough dressing down because of a huge mistake that you made. If you are standing, make sure that you are standing straight, with a slight lean forward towards your boss. (You do not want to be “ramrod” straight because if your boss has any negative ideas about hiring military, you will activate their fears) If you are seated, lean forward as though you are truly intent on what your boss is saying. And, listen! Your boss is giving you with their language, some very good information about themselves and what they find important.
Now, a good all-purpose script on how to handle this type of situation is as follows:
“So, Boss, are you saying that when I…, it caused…?” (This validates the Boss’s point of view. They know that they have been heard.) And, then you say,”Boss, I know how busy you are. I really appreciate the fact that you took the time to explain all of this to me. You know how conscientious I am. Thank you.” Shake their hand.
And walk out. Now it doesn’t have to be “conscientious.” It should be what-ever word you want your boss to associate with you. Such as “hard-working” or “detail oriented.” Ideally, you should choose a word that your boss will appreciate, one of the words that they used while they were “dressing you down.”
When you use this technique, you can effectively erase all of the negative thoughts and emotions your boss felt about you while they were preparing to speak with you. You replace all of that with a positive word that they use themselves, so the next time they see you it will be, “There’s Bob, and he’s conscientious.” Not, “There’s Bob, and he’s my personal pain in the behind.”
Your boss also will feel that they were heard and that their point of view was valid. So, instead of following you around, waiting for the next time you make a mistake, they will have accepted that you took ownership of the mistake and that you are “conscientious.”
Finally, if the mistake wasn’t your fault; you do not have to change a thing. Just write a brief memo outlining two or three points that explain your point of view. Your boss will appreciate the fact that you took ownership and the dressing down, even when it wasn’t you who made the mistake. They will remember this when they re-direct their ire to the person who is at fault.
Please let me know if this post was of any service to you. Let me know how it worked for you. Please feel free to leave a comment here or on my Facebook page. Remember, we show military veterans how to succeed. Guaranteed.
Deanna Wharwood’s passion is to help veterans, service-disabled veterans and their dependents create the systems they need to start and grow businesses from their first dollar to six-figures. Unlike other coaches, consultants, mentors and trainers, she is a veteran who successfully transitioned from military life to entrepreneurship. Learn more about Deanna – The Veterans’ Coach and how she can help you!
