ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605170020
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: 4 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Working it out
SOURCE: CAMILLE WRIGHT MILLER
Our company announced it's downsizing. I feel immobilized and haven't done anything about a new job.
Peter F. Mullen, an organizational development specialist with Peridot Inc., recommends that you ``stop and take a good look around. You'll find a great deal of support coming your way. While it's natural to focus inward during a time of job loss, individuals often overlook some very real gifts and resources. These include tips, training opportunities, advice, business and social invitations, job search suggestions, leads and, yes, prayers.''
Mullen suggests that ``when you're faced with downsizing, take stock, take charge, and then take action.'' Give yourself a timeline for dealing with each stage.
Taking stock means ``reviewing your financial situation, your qualifications, drafting a personal business plan, and evaluating your personal and spiritual health.'' He suggests asking yourself, ``What have I got? What can I give?''
Taking charge is necessary both because ``No one hires a victim'' and because only you can direct the success of your transition. Mullen suggests you ``Take charge by moving on and focusing on high-priority goals.''
Taking action, the third step, requires that you ``Update your resume, update your network, do your job search, and sell yourself.''
When many changes occur at once, the situation can become paralyzing; however, breaking the problem into smaller parts allows us to effect solutions. We regain control.
Downsizing carries a heavy emotional toll. If you continue feeling immobilized, draw on the support of family and friends to push you to action. If that fails, talk with a counselor.
I left sales because it required cold calls to potential customers - I can't do them. I like my new job, but occasionally have to make similarly difficult phone calls. I dread these and put them off. My supervisor has noticed. I need to get over this. It's jeopardizing her opinion of me.
The longer difficult tasks are delayed, the more anxiety one develops. The task grows out of proportion to reality. Make it a rule to do the worst task first.
By getting difficult calls out of the way, you free your desk and mind to concentrate on work you enjoy.
Evaluate your fear. Are you concerned you'll sound foolish? Do you fear not knowing the outcome in advance? Prepare for your worst fear.
For troublesome calls, write a script. Make the opening brief and clear. Write the call as you'd like it in the best-case scenario.
Follow the script with a ``what-if'' chart. Raise every possible objection or question that could be produced by the other party. Then write your best response.
Plan to make the call the following morning.
Review your notes before leaving the office. In the morning, review one last time. Take a deep breath and make the call. Use your notes when you need them.
After the call, note what went well. Identify areas you'd handle differently if given a second chance; note how you'd do it differently.
Making these calls may never become pleasurable, but you can minimize their anxiety producing importance.
Every job has at least one unpleasant aspect. Rather than letting it control you, learn to manage it.
I had personal material faxed to me at my office, a practice our supervisor OK'd. The cover sheet was clearly addressed to me. A co-worker intercepted the fax, read it, and shared it with others. How do I confront the snooper without escalating the battle to a war?
Talk with your co-worker, explain that you feel violated when personal communications are viewed by others. Ask that future correspondence of this type be treated as private material.
It's doubtful your conversation will change the way materials are handled; however, it will allow you to state your feelings.
Every co-worker has the opportunity to see portions of documents retrieved from the machine. While most won't discuss the contents, the text can easily become the focus of questions and speculation.
More fruitful than requesting cooperation from a broad array of co-workers is changing how your faxes are handled.
When arranging for personal faxes, ask the sender to call you before the fax transmission. Then station yourself at the fax machine.
If you receive frequent faxes, purchase a machine for your home. It's a small price to pay for complete privacy.
Camille Wright Miller, an organizational behavior sociologist who works in Lexington, answers questions from our readers about workplace issues. Please send them to her in care of The Roanoke Times, Business News Department, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010.
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