Feedback HBR

Keep Your Cool When Getting Feedback
No one likes to hear that they aren't performing well. Yet, everyone can improve. Next time you receive constructive feedback, do these three things:
Relax. It's understandable to be nervous during a feedback session. The other person holds all the power. Accept this imbalance and be easy on yourself.
Expect to be surprised. You're likely to hear something that you weren't aware of. Perhaps something was a bigger deal than you thought, or something you thought was resolved wasn't.
Don't be defensive. Even if you disagree, hold your tongue. Instead of defending yourself, ask questions. Once you've cooled down, you can always follow up.
Today's Management Tip was adapted from "How to Keep Your Cool During a Performance Review" by Robert M. Galford.

HBR

Need a Mentor? Forget the Expert
When people early in their careers seek mentors, they often target those with a depth of experience. But experts can't teach you everything. And, often they are so far removed from your day-to-day work that they can't help you solve problems. Select at least one mentor with only a few more years of experience than you. Someone who has recently walked in your shoes can give you practical, relevant advice on the challenges you face. She may also give you insight into what's coming in your career and the types of challenges you'll be up against next.
Today's Management Tip was adapted from Guide to Getting the Mentoring You Need.

Elbert Hubbard

"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man."

Fake friends

Fake friends are easy to find and easy to loose but real friends are the hardest to find and hardest to lose.