I am jealous! But i will use it in positive way.

For the last 5 years I have been working hard to promote. The two levels, my current and the one I want are the ones with the widest gap inbetween comparing to any other management levels in our company. Last week 3 colleagues of my generation have promoted for the first time to that level. They are my friends and now they are at the level of my manager. I feel so so so bad altough I know they have different duties and they have deserved it.
The Greek philosopher Antisthenes summed it up thousands of years ago: "As iron is eaten by rust, so are the envious consumed by envy."
Experts say that jealousy is such a primal emotion that it's hardly possible to stop the feeling. Yet being jealous is so destructive in the workplace that you need to be able to control your emotions. It may affect your productivity and your quality of work.
So the more jealous you are, the more you set yourself up for future failures by displaying traits that make it even less likely you will be promoted.
But, if another colleague's glory moves you to increase your efforts toward your own success, then jealousy has been a force for good.
If you are jealous because you think promotions were unfairly handed out, or because your firm values traits you don't think are important, jealousy might prompt you to think more deeply about your job — and that's OK.
In my case, this hand out was fair. But, everyday that passes the same, I question my future, my career, everything. I finally want some positive action. Business and private. I have been waiting for sooo long!

Potential new position in the company

It is highly possible these days that I am invited to an interview for a new position inside the thecompany. So I polished my resume. Then I checked the many sites on the net about the subject. There are thousands of interview questions, techniques... Of course there are basics about how you should dress, behave, know the content of your CV, prepare for the difficult questions. But I think that the most important things are:
Do you really know what you want? That's not only about this position. What do you want from life?
Do you know what this position consist of?
Is this position well suited to what you want? Or does it lie on the way to there?
Do you or will you love this position?
Are you ready to fullfill the necessities the position brings? Overtime, too much travelling etc?
Or do you want it just because you don't have a job / you have to pay your bills / you are bored with the current job?
In my case, I think I am ready for the change.

Eliyahu Goldratt

I a recent congress I participated I heard about the Theory of Constraints; developed by Mr.Eliyahu Goldratt. Well, it is a theory from 80's but has very interesting principles:

• The more complex a system is to describe, the simpler it is to manage. This one reminds me of the fact how we sometimes get so much in detail, mix up everything and don't see how simple and obvious the truth is.
• There are No Conflicts in Nature. When I heard this, I just started to laugh thinking about departments in our huge company which fight themselves everyday to reach their own targets :))
• Even when people do things that seem stupid they have a reason for that behavior.

What hit me in the theory is that it focuses on avoiding the constraint. For example, if you want to have bette standards, you should focus on how to make more money; rather than saving more!

Dealing with a difficult colleague

Last week I had a problem with one of my employees. She refused to do one of my orders with emotionally expressing that she should finish other things. I was sooo angry and it didn't go that well. Here are some modern management methods for dealing with that. Easier said than done :))

• Breathe long and deep. It makes you think positive. It is also good for your health.
• Don't take it personally. Most of the times the reason he/she acts is not you. Maybe lots of work, maybe a personal problem. In my case it was because she had lots of work and stress.
• When you feel the tension is rising, focus on first on listening rather than on arguing. I should have cooled down, not shout out loud. I know, it is so difficult.
• Ask for Clarification. Make sure you have understood the problem. Maybe what she/he needs is your help.
• Separate, in your mind, the person's professional role from his or her difficult personality. Focus only on the professional contribution you need. Don't engage on an emotional level. Maybe you don't like the person. Maybe some behaviour gets you irritated. But remember, she/he is one of the ones of your company/department, part of your team and has a contribution to your success.
• Say your message in as few words as possible. The less you say, the more likely you are to be heard.
• Generally - Have an Open Door Policy. When people feel that you are approachable, they don't bring issues till the crisis point.