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5 Things Characters from Game of Thrones teach us about the World of Work

5 Things Characters from Game of Thrones teach us about the World of Work

With all that rage about the incredibly popular series –Game of Thrones, we thought it would be creative to put together a post about what the series teaches us about the world of work! We hope you enjoy reading it, as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

1. Tyrion Lanister – Knowledge gives you mileage.

It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to say that Tyrion Lanister in the series is an embodiment of knowledge, and worldly wisdom. One of the most admirable qualities (despite possessing some not-so-admirable qualities) he possesses is that of being well read, which has, time and again helped him out of sticky situations. The best lesson his character teaches us is, even if people judge you unkindly, or based on “outwardly appearances”, if you are smart enough, you can take all of that in your stride. We all know how often one needs to deal with situations like that in the world of work.

2. Daenerys Stormborn – Don’t micromanage everything, Delegate!

Well yes. She is all about woman power and how one can truly break away from oppressive gender stereotypes. Now that we’ve given her credit for that, let’s face it how her character is far from perfect. Her need to micromanage has more often than not landed her in trouble. If only she would just heed the counsel and the help coming her way. Something that we need to remember everyday, in the world of work – that your need to micromanage everything will only retard your efficiency.

3. Jaimie Lanister  – Never let your disabilities weigh you down.

We’ve watched this character evolve across a period of six seasons. And of all the lessons to be learnt from him, the finest is the fact that he never let his disability of not possessing an arm become an excuse for anything. When we apply it to the world of work, we mean it in a much broader sense, that no matter what your problem is, there still will be a way to work around it and deliver nothing but your best!

4. Lord Varys – Never let an opportunity pass you by.

Varys in the series has proven to be an extremely resourceful and capable character. Most of it because of the amazing capacity he seems to have to be able to focus on what needs to be done, and to get it done in the most efficient manner. His trait of being a thorough opportunist is something we all could try and learn from, especially in the world of work. Being mindful, and aware pays. You will never let an opportunity to slip by.

5. Joffrey – Well, we all know how that story went.

Of the King who really thought he was King, until he was slayed (Aside: if Tyrion didn’t poison him, who did?!).
Joffrey has probably been one of the cruelest characters in the series. The circumstance of his murder is testament to the fact that nobody likes a horrible boss! Some food for thought, eh?

Like this post a whole lot? Tell us you do and maybe we’ll put together another one with a similar interpretation of some more of your favorite characters!

Practicing the “Miracle of Mindfulness” at Work

Practicing the “Miracle of Mindfulness” at Work

What does being “mindful” mean? Very simply put, it means being aware, being present in the moment. Or like our favorite phrase at OBOlinx, it simply means being “Happy in the Now.” In our endless pursuit for success, and achievement of goals in the world of work, we focus more on achieving the end result, rather than on the journey to get closer to our goals. Being mindful means to invest all our focus in the present moment, and not in the future. Practicing the miracle of mindfulness at work means to realize that it is only when we start moulding ourselves to become more ‘process’ oriented, instead of being ‘result’ oriented that we will succeed in being ‘happy in the now’.

The phrase, ‘Miracle of Mindfulness’ is a book by the Zen Master, and Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Naht Hanh. In this book, he speaks about how practicing mindfulness in everything you do can help you truly evolve and grow as a person. We thought it would be worthwhile to adapt the meaning of mindfulness in terms of our professional lives. Hence, this post is an attempt to capture what practicing mindfulness at work might entail.

1. Breathing

Before we aspire to take charge of anything, we must aspire to first take charge of how we breathe. He says in his book, “breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.” To utilize our potential fully, in the professional realm, the foremost thing we need to accomplish is to bind our dispersed thoughts together. This is possible only when we are mindful of how we breathe. In our fast paced lives, we are always anywhere else but where we actually are. Our mind is constantly taking flight – which is possible only when we permit it to do so.

By being conscious of our breath we are able to bring our minds back to the immediate task at hand. We have all forgotten how to breathe, these days we breathe to survive and not to live. Begin by practicing mindful breathing for 5 minutes every day, and keep increasing the limit until you teach yourself how to breathe mindfully throughout the day. At work, take frequent 5 minute breaks to do nothing but breathe. And watch the magic of mindfulness unfold.

2. Posture

Mindfulness emerges from your body, as much as it does from your mind and your soul. A prerequisite to practicing mindfulness at work is maintaining good posture. Our posture, especially how we sit while at work influences our productivity beyond an extent we can imagine. For our mind to be alert, aware, and completely at the disposal of the task we sit down to accomplish, our body needs to complement our state of mind. The efficiency and energy with which we pursue our task is determined by the ability of our body to endure it.
In order to be at your productive best, be mindful of your body while at work. Maintain erect posture, take frequent breaks to get up and walk around, and to do a few stretches every now and then. Through this, you will be able to bring your focus back to your task, and control the flow of your thoughts.

3. Being Present

To be present is probably the key to achieving mindfulness, and therefore, could be the hardest thing to achieve. To be present means to be nowhere else, to do nothing else but what the present moment asks of you. Being present means to give your entire being to accomplishing the current task at hand with all your attention, love and care. This beautiful excerpt from the book, “Miracle of Mindfulness”, will illustrate how one can practice being present, and how it guides you to be ‘happy in the now’!

“…we sat under a tree and shared a tangerine. He began to talk about what we would be doing in the future. Whenever we thought about a project that seemed attractive or inspiring, Jim became so immersed in it that he literally forgot about what he was doing in the present. He popped a section of tangerine in his mouth and, before he had begun chewing it, had another slice ready to pop into his mouth again. He was hardly aware he was eating a tangerine. All I (I here refers to Thich Naht Hanh) had to say was, “You ought to eat the tangerine section you have already taken.” Jim was startled into realizing what he was doing. It was as if he hadn’t been eating the tangerine at all. If he had been eating anything, he was “eating” his future plans.”

To be able to be mindful at work, focus more on living in the present and doing only one thing at a time. Pursue it dutifully before moving on to the next task, or before planning for your future. This is the only secret you need to unlock to be happy in the now – embracing the present moment, and being your productive best in each moment.

4. Discipline

This aspect of practicing mindfulness at work is inextricably linked to the previous factor of “being present”. It is only when you live in the moment and for the moment that you gain the strength and the discipline to tether your mind and move single mindedly towards your goals.

To illustrate what this means, Thich Naht Hanh uses the metaphor of washing dishes.

“While washing the dishes one should be completely aware of the fact that one is washing the dishes. At first glance, that might seem a little silly: why put so much stress on a simple thing? But that’s precisely the point. The fact that I am standing there and washing these bowls is a wondrous reality. I’m being completely myself, following my breath, conscious of my thoughts and actions. There’s no way I can be tossed around mindlessly like a bottle slapped here and there on the waves.”

How do we incorporate this metaphor into the world of work? Well, it is simple. Make discipline your motto. And seek discipline in every act you pursue. It could be something seemingly insignificant like filing papers, or something which appears to be more life/career defining like a proposal presentation. No matter what the action is, invest the same amount (i.e., maximum) of discipline into every task you take on.

To Sum it Up

Being mindful is a means and an end at the same time. To practice being mindful at work means to channelize the highest levels of energy within yourself towards a purpose you have chosen for yourself. It could also work in the reverse manner, i.e., being mindful at work could help you realize your true calling and purpose in life. A win-win situation, isn’t it?
Are you still wondering what mindfulness is? To sum everything we’ve said before this, in the words of Thich Nhat Hanh –
“Mindfulness is the miracle by which we master and restore ourselves. It is the miracle which can call back in a flash our dispersed mind and restore it to wholeness so that we can live each minute of life.”
What are your stories of mindfulness at work ? We would love to hear about them!

Five Indispensable Skills to have On and “Off” your CV

Five Indispensable Skills to have On and “Off” your CV

Different jobs require different skill sets, and there is no one generic set of skills that will qualify you for any job in the world. However, there are certain indispensable skills, that no matter what your profession is, will always help you. Not only do they come in handy in your own career growth, employers actively seek candidates with these skills. Ensuring that you have these indispensable skills on your CV, and are confident of them, is something that will play a pivotal role in helping you move closer to your dream job.

1. Communication Skills – Written and Verbal

Being a good communicator solves almost most of your problems. It also keeps you away from problems. Communication skills are a must have, regardless of which profession you belong to. Being able to articulate yourself in an effective manner makes you inherently more employable. A further aspect of communication skills, which is an extremely important part, is interpersonal (communication) skills. In the world of work, it is not only important to be able to articulate your opinion effectively, it is equally or more important to keep all channels of communication open and listen more than articulating. This is where your interpersonal skills play a big role, as they determine your dynamics with those around you. Here’s something to help you improve your communication skills.

2. Adaptability:

To have focus and pursue a task right through the end is an extremely desirable quality which employers actively seek. However, in a lot of situations one is required to be flexible, or, to adapt to whatever the need is according to the current scenario. This might include a shift in focus and hence efforts. But if you are able to make the best of the situation you are out in, you prove yourself as being a valuable human resource to your organization. If you have these skills, it will reflect in your CV through your experiences, and how your referees speak for you.

3. Self-confidence and willingness to Learn

It is one thing to be unnecessarily boastful about one’s skills, and quite a different thing to be confident of one’s skills. It is important to know what you are capable of, and to be able to demonstrate it through your actions. To be able to reaffirm the same through your communication skills is something that gives you an edge over most other candidates when you’re job hunting. It is equally valuable to know where you lack, and to be willing to imbibe or learn those skills. Be confident of your knowledge and your skills, but also be aware that you are “work in progress”, and that everyday you are getting better at what you do and that you should keep learning.

4. Leadership Skills

Leadership skills aren’t sought only when you are applying for a managerial post. Regardless of whether or not the description of the job you are applying to explicitly requires leadership skills, or experience in leading teams, the said skills are crucial for success in any job. Being able to demonstrate that you possess leadership skills infuses the potential employer with confidence. The fact that you will not only be able to manage yourself through self-motivation and discipline, but will also be able to handle a team if necessary is made evident. Thus amplifying your chances of growth within the organization, right at the outset.

5. Team Work

Your success in any organization, depends a lot on how you are able to function within, and as a part of a team. In fact, this is a pre-requisite for most jobs you might be looking out for. To site just one example, as a part of the hiring process for most jobs you will be put through a group discussion round. Its purpose is to have you illustrate your capabilities when you work as a part of a larger team. Employers attribute a lot of value to this skill because how employees function as a team is crucial to the goals and larger progress of any organization.

Spending time on honing these indispensable skills is something that will surely be rewarding in a very fulfilling sense in the trajectory of your professional success. While we have listed just 5 indispensable skills here, we would love to know what skills you think should have made it to this list. Share your opinions with us by commenting on this post!

What do Recruiters Want from a Job-Hunting Candidate ?

What do Recruiters Want from a Job-Hunting Candidate ?

What do recruiters want ? A recruiter starts work every morning with one objective – find the best candidate for his/her client and fill the open position ASAP. A candidate hunting for a job wakes up with this thought – may today be the day when I land my dream job. Notice the similarity between the two objectives – so why not work together with mutual respect  to achieve this common goal?

This post is from the view-point of a recruiter for the job-hunting candidate (let’s for the sake of convenience, assume the sex of the recruiter to be female). She wants you to succeed because your success would eventually ensure her’s. And she has a few expectations from you, the potential hire, so that the common goal of a win-win job hunt for both can be reached. So here is how you can help her help you:

What do Recruiters Want – Craft a complete resume

Your profile should be tailored for you – please skip the long sentences with all the nice-looking buzz words. A recruiter will spend a maximum of 30 seconds to determine if your profile is suitable. Be direct and prepare your resume in such a way that your qualifications, skills and achievements are searchable and stand out. Link to your work portfolios or online profiles (Social media links, LinkedIn is a must, About.me, etc.) or blogs so that there is an additional outside reference for your skills.

What do Recruiters Want – Be Visible

Update your profile (and also your LinkedIn profile) regularly. A resume should always be a work-in-progress document and have your latest details – your latest contact details (make sure your email id is a professional one.- crazylover777@xxx.com is a sure reject in the first 5 seconds of a resume review), your years of experience, your preferred job location/s, new skills all help the recruiter shortlist your candidature quickly.  Regular updates also help keep your profile on the top of search results in job boards. Create a separate folder in your mail box for achievements to store those appreciation mails and promotion letters. Refer to this folder every three months for additional updates to your resume.

What do Recruiters Want – Be Responsive and Responsible

The common courtesy rule: treat people the way you would want to be treated – applies with recruiters as well. Do respond to emails and calls – even if it is a “no, thank you”. If you are busy, a short email or text stating your availability (even when it is “please don’t contact me ever”) will save the recruiter time and not keep her hanging. If you do give a time slot, plan ahead and be available – being late for an interview is just not professional. If you can’t make it, make sure you inform in advance.

What do Recruiters Want – Be Honest

Know what you want. Think it through before committing yourself. If you are not clear about which career path to take, be upfront and discuss this with the recruiter. She will respect this and may be able to provide you with options or opportunities that work for you. Nothing is more frustrating to her than last-minute surprises – if you are not interested, just say so. If you are not ready for the interview – let her know, her information and insights can help you prepare for it. If you have another offer (a promotion, another job) – let her know, it may help you get a better offer. If you don’t want to join after accepting the offer, let her know – don’t wait for the day of joining and then not turn up. Nothing could be more unprofessional.

What do Recruiters Want – Engage

Network with recruiters. If you have had bad experiences with one recruiter, don’t lump the rest in the same bucket. Find the recruiters who work in your industry and who understand your career goals and reach out. Keep in touch. Build a relationship – this is one person you need in your corner when you are looking out for a career change. Keep track of the recruiter and through her, her clients, just like she is keeping track of you. Refer your friends. Find out about hiring trends and upcoming opportunities from her. Give value and get value back – this can definitely be a mutually beneficial relationship. Maybe you don’t need a job now, but she could open up a few doors for you when you do need one.

All of the above will help you in building relationships with the Best Recruiters and make you the favourite go-to candidate for recruiters. Recruiters can be the wind beneath your wings when you need to change jobs or need to hire for your team. (And don’t forget all the great side benefits of having a friend for life :))

How to Make Your Way Through Office Politics as an Introvert

How to Make Your Way Through Office Politics as an Introvert

The one occupational hazard you will have to deal with, no matter what your occupation is, is – office politics. Some look forward to it, consciously or subconsciously, as a form of entertainment, while some prefer to stay miles away from it. This post comes as help for those who belong to the second category – the introvert. Being an introvert a lot of times is misconstrued as being someone who is unsocial. Whereas, an introvert is simply a personality type who is more self-reflective, and prefers to mind his/her business thoroughly – while expecting others to not interfere in their lives.

Getting embroiled in office politics, is probably the worst situation an introvert could find himself/herself in. While you take all the caution not to land yourself in these situations, once you find yourself in one, what do you do? You need to understand and know how to deal with office politics, even though you choose not to play the game yourself. Here are three possible ways you could make your way through office politics:

1. Office Politics – Shut it Out

If you don’t mind it doesn’t matter, and at times, ignorance can be bliss. If you believe you have better things to do, and the situation is unnecessarily complicated for you and one that can be sidestepped, move on without feeling overwhelmed. It might affect your peace of mind to some extent since it wasn’t something you had anything to do with, and even so the repercussions seem to be hitting you. That however, is something you can choose to not let affect you. Shut it all out, and focus on channeling all your energies into being your awesome, productive self.

2. Office Politics – Clarify

Then there are the kind of situations, which even if you may ideally want to ignore, you can’t, and shouldn’t. These might be the kind of situations where are a lack of response from you may not exactly work in your favor. The second possible way for you to deal with a sticky situation at your workplace is to clarify your role (or the lack of your role) in the matter which seems to be the cause. Of course, as an introvert, you’d love to withdraw into your shell, (and in this case, your cubicle), but it matters to clarify at times. Just so that things don’t get worse.

3. Office Politics – Take Action

There is no doubt about the fact that there will always be a troublemaker or two, around you. And many a times, people mistake introverts for being a pushover. As an introvert, you might have given off this impression if, for the sake of avoiding trouble, you have relented in the past. However, at no point should anyone be allowed to bully you. Recognize that your rights and your dignity should be firmly secure at your workplace – which means, if you feel like you are being dragged into trouble you don’t belong in – you can and should take a stand. If the situation has turned drastic, you need to rise to the occasion either by acting against it yourself, or, if the situation calls for it – by taking the issue to the management.
Work place politics can be quite stressful, and in the end, nobody has anything to gain from it – apart from unpleasantness and anxiety. As an introvert, it might be quite a nightmare for you to deal with it – but like we said, no matter what occupation you choose, this will be a hazard you might have to deal with sooner or later. In which case, you need to decide which of the above three action plans suit your situation most.

Ever been in a bad situation with regards to office politics at your workplace? Let us know how you dealt with it!