What Kind of Corporate Cheerleader Are You?

Written By: Kim - Jan• 30•11

Since I am one month in to my fitness commitment for 2011, I have noticed that I prefer to take classes over the treadmill. I am not exactly sure why: It could be that the classes are commitment of 55 minutes and to leave early is the walk of shame. Perhaps I find it more interesting learning a new skill: yoga, zumba, fitness bootcamp or cardio mix. Perhaps it’s because the instructor is encouraging me during the class. Cheerleading goes a long way in the battle of the bulge.

For the most part, all of the instructors I have encountered are extremely outgoing and positive people. They welcome the class; ask for beginners, show options and constantly shout out encouragements such as: “you guys are doing great; we’re halfway there; 30 more seconds” and so on. Trust me: for a middle-aged–I-have-not-worked-out-in -15-years Mom, “30 more seconds” can make you feel like you accomplished something or you failed to finish. It’s good to know where you stand.

The cardio mix instructor I took class from this last Saturday was quite busy directing the class (think the old step classes). Whenever she could, she did shout out an encouraging word. But when I compare her to the other instructors, she seemed lacking. Honestly, I don’t think it was her; I just think the nature of the class requires constant direction.

This made me wonder: What kind of corporate cheerleader am I?

  • Am I the kind of boss who offers regular encouragement?
  • Do I let my staff know I value not only the work they do, but their insights and opinions?
  • Do I communicate clearly so my staff understands my expectations so I provide an atmosphere where they will succeed?
  • Do I give them the glory when things go well and do I accept responsibility for their choices if it does not?
  • Does my staff know me well enough to know how I will react and what choice I would make if I am unavailable?
  • Am I the kind of boss that continually encourages the folks in the room or am I too busy giving directions to remember to motivate them along the way?

Think about it. What kind of boss do you want? What kind of corporate cheerleader do you want to be?

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Ciao!

Written By: Kim - Jan• 08•11

This is final post of my three 2011 New Year’s Resolutions series. We’ve all said we would commit but failed somewhere during the year to reach the goal. Failure is not an option for any of them for me and the final resolution is no exception: Take a two-week vacation in Italy.

For some of you out there, this may not seem like a big deal. But my husband @HowardFactor and I are celebrating our 20th anniversary on November 9. Twenty years is a big deal to us. For the most part, our lives and marriage have been good. Not perfect, but not crappy either. Two healthy kids, three homes later, the divorce of a set of parents after 29 years, launching a company and surviving the Great Recession with the business still in tact, burying a parent, major health scares with the other parents and surviving a health scare in April of 2010 mean that it’s time to Carpe Diem. My three New Year’s Resolutions are items on my bucket list: write more, get into shape and travel more internationally.

The beach is lovely, but what is on the other side of the ocean?

I want my kids to know something of the world and that there is more than Washington, DC and the beach to see. I want to experience other cultures and immerse us in the experience. Business is more global than it ever has been and when our children enter the workforce, we want to them to be somewhat worldly. Since I am half Italian and my grandmother’s maiden name was Catania, I figured Italy was an excellent place to start our global adventures.

So here’s to creating and fulfilling items on your bucket list. Carpe Diem.

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