你在浪費公司的教練預算嗎？

並非每一位高管都會從教練那裡獲益。如果你是决定哪位公司領導者能和外界專家一起工作的人，那麼你就需要明智地花費你的預算。

為了評估那些苦苦掙扎的領導者是否準備好執教，注意一些紅旗。

首先，提防一個在事情出錯時總是有藉口的高管。輔導需要自我意識和自省，所以總是把問題歸咎於外部因素的人可能不是一個好的選擇。

第二，仔細考慮一個喜歡快速修復策略的領導者。教練的最佳人選願意挑戰他們的假設和信念如何完成事情。

第三，當心那些延后開始培訓以“做更多的研究”或“找到合適的人”的經理。這可能表明他們只是沒有準備好面對自己的問題。

Are You Wasting Your Company’s Coaching Budget?

Not every executive will benefit from working with a coach. And if you’re the person who decides which company leaders get to work with an outside expert, you want to spend your budget wisely.

To assess whether a struggling leader is ready for coaching, watch for a few red flags.

First, be wary of an executive who always has an excuse when things go wrong. Coaching requires self-awareness and introspection, so someone who consistently blames external factors for their problems may not be a great choice.

Second, think carefully about a leader who favors quick-fix tactics. The best candidates for coaching are willing to challenge their assumptions and beliefs about how to get things done.

And third, beware of managers who delay the start of coaching to “do more research” or “find the right person.” It may be a sign that they’re just not ready to confront their issues. 

被解雇真的很難，思考你的優點可以幫助你

被解僱是一個人一生中可能面臨的最困難的經歷之一。它會讓你感到震驚、悲傷和焦慮，但這並不意味著你的事業就結束了。

既然你無法控制自己，那麼就把注意力集中在你能積極管理的事情上：你的思想和態度。

首先，將不可避免的負面想法（“這是我永遠不會恢復的災難”）與積極的問題（“我現在可以自由探索什麼職業機會？”“”。

然後關注你的優勢和你最引以為傲的成就。回想一下，當你經歷了一個你最終克服的困難局面時。問問自己：我用過什麼技能來度過這個難關？我在這個過程中學到了什麼？在當前困難的情况下，我如何利用這些優勢？

裁員在短期內是不穩定的，但正確的態度可以幫助你反彈，讓你的職業重新步入正軌。

Being Laid Off Is Really Hard. Thinking About Your Strengths Can Help

Being laid off is one of the most difficult experiences a person may face in their career. It can make you feel shock, grief, and anxiety — but it doesn’t mean your career is over.

Since so much is out of your control, focus on what you can actively manage: your thoughts and attitude.

Start by pairing the inevitable negative thoughts (“This is a disaster I’ll never recover from”) with positive questions (“What career opportunities am I now free to explore?”).

Then focus on your strengths and the successes you’re most proud of. Think back to a time when you suffered through a difficult situation that you ultimately overcame. Ask yourself: What skills did I use to get through it? What did I learn about myself in the process? How can I use those strengths in this current difficult situation?

Layoffs are destabilizing in the short term, but the right attitude can help you rebound and get your career back on track.

學習一門新語言，製定目標和實踐

學習另一種語言對你的事業有利（尤其是英語，它已經成為商業世界的通用語言）。無論你需要流利程度還是僅僅是工作知識，有計劃都有幫助。

首先，為你的學習製定明確的目標。决定你想做什麼（“我會流利地用英語做報告……”）以及什麼時候（……，下個季度末）。然後在實踐中創造習慣。

也許你可以每天讀一篇新文章的行業文章，或者寫下你每週的團隊工作報告。不要把學習變成枯燥乏味的東西。

如果你發現自己害怕練習，重新考慮你的方法：例如，閱讀你最喜歡的書的翻譯版本，或者參加一門用語言教的烹飪課。

最重要的是，相信自己。如果你的目標開始變得無法實現，那就讓它們變小或更容易管理，直到你重新獲得信心。

To Learn a New Language, Set Goals and Practice

Learning another language can be a boon to your career (especially English, which has become the lingua franca of the business world). Whether you need total fluency or just a working knowledge, having a plan can help.

To start, set specific goals for your learning. Decide what you want to be able to do (“I will comfortably deliver a presentation in English…”) and by when (“…before the end of next quarter”). Then create habits around practicing.

Maybe you could read one industry article a day in the new language, or write your weekly team updates in it. And don’t turn learning into a slog.

If you find yourself dreading practice time, rethink your approach: Read the translated version of your favorite book, for example, or enroll in a cooking class that’s taught in the language.

Most important of all, believe in yourself. If your goals start to seem unachievable, make them smaller or more manageable until you regain your confidence.