From my 1994 book "What Everyman Needs to Know," here are 10 tips for being a great father

1.Arrange to take your child to work for a day

2.Learn to cook one great dish for every meal

3.Ask your father about his experiences growing up in the neighborhood

4. If it’s broken, work on healing your relationship with your father

5.If you abandon a child find humor her and start the relationship today

6.Interview your children about what it is been like to have you as a father

7.Display of a memento from your father or grandfather

8.Put at least as much energy into your parenting as you do into your career

9.For one week do not tell your children what to do.

10. If you like the results of doing it for one week, keep doing it

Dr. Rob' Tips on Building Relationships to Build Your Network

Building Relationships to Build Your Network

This week I will be giving a presentation on Networking at the University of Michigan’s Career Conference. My key message is: “Building Relationships” is the key to building your network. Here are my 10 key points.

1. Think “Building Relationships” rather than networking.

2. Build relationships by following the concept of “reciprocity”: think “what can I do for other’s?”, rather than “what can other’s do for me?”

3. Building relationships means asking people what they need.

4. Building relationships means listening carefully to their answers and thinking about how you can be helpful

5. Build relationships the old fashion way by joining: service clubs, non-profit boards, religious organizations, etc.

6. Build relationships where you are employed by joining sports leagues, volunteering for committees, going out for lunch or after work with colleagues (never eat alone).

7. You don’t have to be an extrovert to build relationships. Quiet people often build deeper or meaningful relationships than extroverts

8. Use technology to build your relationship network: read The Start-up of You  to learn how to use LinkedIn.

9. Build your network while you are employed. People often find that if they lose their job, it’s often too late to start building relationships.

10. In building relationships, take risks. Ask to meet with people higher up in the organization and let them know who you are and find out what they may need.

Do you recognize the power of setting stretch goals?

When I look back on my career, I've always focused more on medium to short term goals, rather than long term dreams. I think of these 6-12 month goals as stretch goals: important projects which will take considerable hard work, discipline and a fair amount of overcoming distinct difficulties. Additionally, they usually are risky in the sense that they may not be easily achieved. Some of my examples include: writing a book, getting on Oprah, or running a 10k race. Here are some tips, for setting and achieving 6-12 month goals.

1. On 5x7 index card write down what the goal is. (e.g. creating a new line of business in doing coaching and consulting in the healthcare field)

2. Write down the date by which you will achieve the goal (e.g. November 30th 2013)

3. Write down why it is important (e.g. given the health care reform act, there is a great need for the business; new source of revenue)

4. Write down briefly how it will be done. (e.g. work with 2 knowledgeable partners, pilot it on a small scale)

5. Let other people know about your goal (e.g. like I am doing in this email)

6. Place the card somewhere where you can see it daily. (e.g. on your mirror, posted by your desk, or in your inbox- never to be archived until achieved)

7. Keep track of your successes. I am proud to say that since 1968, I have a metal index card holder, filled with over 200 stretch goals which I have achieved.

Robert Pasick Ph.D

Organizational Psychologist and Executive Coach

rob@leadersconnect.com

Author of Balanced Leadership in Unbalanced Times

Link for video from 5/17/13 CEO Connect: 5/17/13 CEO Connect.

For more tips by Dr. Rob, you can check out Balanced Leadership in Unbalanced Times.