The Power of Buzzwords
Buzzwords are a form of mental prompts that empower you to look to yourself for answers and propel you to action in a positive and proactive way. For this month of March, I share a buzzword from my book’s Workplace section. As our world continues to change in many ways, it’s essential to see the truth, recognize the facts and understand when caution is needed. As Maya Angelou wisely said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time,” prompting us to remember that a person’s actions and initial behaviour are authentic indicators of their true character. This buzzword, “Red Flag” is one to use in the workplace or any situation where you need to step back from unacceptable behavior, acknowledge the truth as it is and to know what to expect in the future.
This month’s buzzword is:
Red Flag
I had a great job opportunity where I had the luxury to work in a position for two months before being hired full-time. There were dysfunctional issues within the department, and I knew this from the start. In my mind, I thought I could help change the situation and provide a workable solution. I should point out that, at the time, I had not created or implemented my “Red Flag” buzzword. I believe if I had, it would have helped me with my initial decision process. By identifying something as a “Red Flag,” it helps you step out of a situation and see something for what it truly is before proceeding further. In my case, there were red flags— the managing administrator saying, “there are no words” and, true to her word, offering no communication in challenging times; the director stating he wanted to “raise the bar,” yet he was a bully who verbally abused, demeaned, and devalued his team regularly. Yes, in life, there will always be dangers and many red flags, so one needs to pay close attention to them and see them as warning signs.