What kind of change is impacting you right now? Are you laid off? Is your job changing due to "doing less with less"? Have you graduated college and trying to start your career? Are you preparing for retirement? And, how do you react to change? In my conversation with Becky Shook, Psychology Practitioner who helps individuals and groups move through transition, we explored the difference between change and transition and the six types of transition styles each of us tends to experience. Change and transition are not the same. "Although used interchangeably, they are different", says Becky. "Change is the actual event or situation that occurs ... transition is the emotional space people m

There is more to volunteering than you think. I sat down with Mary Lynn Perry, the coordinator for the City of Sacramento’s award winning volunteer program, and author of the free “Get Involved: A How-to Volunteer Guide for Parents, Teachers and Youth”.  She shared the many benefits of volunteering: 1) Gain New Skills: You can acquire professional work experience, whether you have just graduated from high school or college, want to change your career, or transition into retirement. Mary Lynn says: “A lot of people come into a volunteer experience looking to switch a career … they want to try out something for future employment or a part time job”. Molly Lynch, volunteer crewmember at Acce

We’ve all heard the phrase:  “Some things are better left unsaid”.  However, there are times when we need to say things.  Sometimes conversations become crucial, and have life or death stakes. I interviewed Desiree Aragon Nielson, Learning and Development Professional at Catholic Healthcare West / Mercy in Sacramento.  Desiree has been certified in teaching “Crucial Conversations”, a best selling book (McGraw Hill) based on extensive research.  She trains employees in her health care setting, noting that “In health care, it is life and death …we appreciate crucial conversations as a tool”.  1) What are Crucial Conversations?  Based on the authors’ extensive research, Desiree says “three

Does your career or business need a marketing makeover? Executive coach Laura Perez (www.epiphanycoaching.net) shares eight of her marketing makeover “treatments” from her career coaching sessions and seminars: 1) Know Your C.O.B.S. Before you market yourself, be clear on what you want - the Career you want, the Opportunities that are available, the kind of Boss you want to work for, and the Salary you are willing to accept. 2) Be a Problem Solver. Clearly understand and communicate how you can solve problems. Laura says: “Today’s companies want problem solvers, money savers and out of the box thinkers”. Make sure your resume conveys that. 3) Conduct Informational Interviews. Interview ot

On June 30, 2003, John St. John, CEO of Skill Tree, had a dream that would inspire a book and new way of thinking about job fulfillment: “I had a great career but something was missing, something didn’t feel right.” In what I called “a small book with a big heart”, St. John’s book, “The Gift Table” (www.skilltree.net), is an engaging metaphor that gave me a new perspective on job and life fulfillment. In his dream, St. John was transported to a place with beautiful green hills and a picnic table that seemed to stretch around the world. People began showing up at the table; when they arrived at the table, a gift appeared before them. He explained, “Everyone has a gift to share with others.

According to the April 2009 edition of the Harvard Business Review, toxic behavior in the workplace significantly decreases work effort, quality, morale and commitment. We are seeing more toxic behavior at work as a result of more negative emotions associated with the recession.  So, it's important we take some time to look at this issue. Joining me on the next episode of “Good Work NOW!” is leadership consultant Steve Sphar. Steve and I discuss toxic behavior – what it is and why it’s important to address, explore some interesting insights about perception and demonstrate a four step process that anyone can use to make a positive difference. Steve defines toxic behavior as “a type of be

Are you aware of your emotions at any given moment? And, how effective are you at managing them at work? Dr. Mitchel Adler, author of “Promoting Emotional Intelligence in Organizations”, joins me, Brian Moffitt, this week on “Good Work NOW!” for a discussion of emotional intelligence, what it is and why it’s important at work. Unlike general intelligence (ie, “IQ Scores”), emotional intelligence can be learned and improved over time. Dr. Adler shares some tools that anyone can use to improve his or her emotional intelligence. We begin the show by exploring the four domains of emotional intelligence: • Self Awareness is “knowing our own internal state”. Dr. Adler adds that there are four

Disclosure:  Good Work NOW! is a weekly, non-commercial public access television show produced at Access Sacramento and is a volunteer effort by me, my guests and crew. This 30 minute talk show features local experts and our mission is to help viewers find a job, develop their career or business or improve morale or productivity. It airs every Sunday evening at 7:30 – 8:00 PM on Channel 17 and streams at www.AccessSacramento.org, with an encore streaming every Monday, 11:30 – 12:00 noon. The purpose of this weekly column in Sacramento Press is to share key points from each week’s episode and invite readers to watch the program if they want more details. If you have any questions or comment

Are you and your children prepared for the work world of tomorrow? Imagine working where you want , how you want, and when you want as long as you deliver what is expected of you. This shatters the traditional, artificiality of a 40 hour work week in a central office location with a single employer following procedures that no longer work. Tomorrow’s workforce will be mobile, virtual, dynamic and focused on outcomes. Karen Arnold and Kevin Williams from Future Decisions LLC join me this Sunday night on “Good Work NOW!”. They paint a fascinating and hopeful glimpse of the future of work, including changing demographics, new industries and technology, sustainability and the nature of work r

Want to go to "Boot Camp" - an intensive one day interview preparation workshop?  "These and other services are FREE", explains Richard Bunch and Bill Grimaldi, Workforce Coordinators from Job Link, offered by the County of Sacramento Department of Human Assistance.  Job Link also provides "Job Talks" at each of the 10 sites throughout Sacramento County.  At "Job Talks" employers come in and talk about their job openings and offer tips to help you stand out in the crowd, which makes the difference in this competitive job market. Employers also benefit as Job Link provides free recruitment and orientation services.  Some Job Link sites hold periodic job fairs.  Richard Bunch emphasizes tha

Are you laid off? Are you in a dead end job? Is it time to put your passion to work? If you answered yes to any of these questions, maybe it’s time for you to become an entrepreneur and start your own business. But do you have what it takes? Entrepreneur and “mergeronomist” Larry Mandelberg joins me for an insightful conversation Sunday night on “Good Work NOW!” on Channel 17 at 7:30 PM. Larry says that an entrepreneur is “someone that sees something that others don’t - they bring new ideas to old ideas and create something that hasn’t existed before”. He adds that successful entrepreneurs are “curious and always learning” and “have a high tolerance for risk”.  One point that he made du

The next time you find yourself unable to stop worrying about something at work, try doing some yoga or meditation right in your workspace. That’s right – you don’t need to go to the gym, take numerous classes, or have a private office or yoga mat! You also won’t feel awkward doing it at work. Yoga and meditation instructor, Shakti, joins me this Sunday on “Good Work NOW!” on Channel 17 at 7:30 PM. I first met Shakti in 2004 when I took a yoga class as part of my grief recovery when my partner died suddenly in 2003. That class was a positive, healing experience. The words that come to my mind that best describe Shakti are calming, centered, peaceful, uncomplicated and wise. On Sunday’s

Many of us feel trapped or victimized by our stress.  In fact, however, "most of our stress is unnecessary - it can be removed", says consultant and wellness advocate Lynn Belzer.  She adds that "we should save our energy for managing the stress we can't remove from our lives".  Join Lynn and host Dr. Brian Moffitt discuss what is stress, how to remove unnecessary stress, and how to manage the stress "we are stuck with", such as "giving stress less air time".  One technique they discuss is making a list of all the things that are causing stress in your life.  Then review the list and determine which stressors you actually have a choice about - therein lies your control.  To learn more, inc

IGiven all the stressors impacting individuals, teams and organizations in today's economy, how would you rate your workplace wellness or your work-life balance?  Kristin Mortensen, the City of Sacramento Wellness Coordinator, is the featured guest on Sunday's episode of "Good Work NOW!".  Mortensen and host Dr. Brian Moffitt begin by sharing the City's definition of wellness:  "being your own personal best".  They walk through the six dimensions of wellness:  emotional, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual.  Although each dimension is distinct, they all overlap.  For example, perhaps you are pursuing a new career (occupational wellness).  This could positively impact

In today's job market, it's important to be career resilient.  Dr. Maureen White, President-Elect of the California Career Development Association and Jeff Dunn, Corporate Recruiter, join host Dr. Brian Moffitt on Sunday's edition of Good Work NOW!, May 3, 7:30 - 8:00 PM on Channel 17 (Comcast, Surewest, AT&T or live stream at www.AccessSacramento.org, encore streaming Monday, May 4, 11:30 - 12:00 Noon).  The show features a discussion of many of Dr. White's tips for achieving career resilience, including: 1) Diversify Your Economic Base - Take a good look at your skills and see which ones are transferable to other jobs or careers. 2) Share Virtual Space - Consider sharing a website (or

The 12 Sacramento Works Career Centers throughout the Sacramento region offer free career and business services to individuals and employers.  Individuals can receive free career counseling and help with resumes, interviewing skills, networking, and job search.  In addition, current and prospective entrepreneurs can receive help with starting or expanding their own business at one of the four business information centers.  Employers can receive free assistance with recruiting and training your workforce.  There are a variety of library materials that you can check out as well as workshops.  For more information, watch "Good Work NOW!" on Sunday, April 26, 7:30 - 8:00 PM on Channel 17 (Comc

Larry Mandelberg, entrepreneur and "mergeronomist" appears on "Good Work NOW!" on Sunday, April 19, 7:30 PM on Channel 17 (Comcast., Surewest, AT&T or live stream www.accesssacramento.org).  Mandelberg, who has had 9 successful businesses, discusses what it takes to be an entrepreneur, including "vision, performance and morale".  Your vision needs to be strong enough to carry you through the hardwork.  He also shares that most entrepreneurs have to wear many hats.  "Mergeronomy" is the study of bringing separate groups or cultures together. Mandelberg is founding director of "Bullseye Integration".  Good Work NOW! is a weekly cable show featuring local experts that focus on finding a job,

Watch "Good Work NOW!" on Sunday, April 12, 7:30 PM on Channel 17 (Comcast, Surewest, AT&T) or live stream www.AccessSacramento.org.  Guests Clarence Williams and Deborah Muramoto from California Capital discuss what you need to do to keep your entrepreneurial dream alive.  Williams emphasizes the importance of having a "business plan", and knowing about "pricing, insurance, taxes", and so on.  Muramoto explains their "finanical literacy" workshops, including permits, licensing, code enforcement, taxes, and programs that are "offered in 9 languages".  Hosted by Organizational Development expert Dr. Brian Moffitt, Good Work NOW! is a weekly program with experts that discuss how to find a jo

Check out the new weekly talk show on Access Sacramento called "Good Work NOW!" - the only show on TV for finding and creating good work.  The show airs every Sunday at 7:30 PM on Channel 17 (Comcast, Surewest, AT&T) or live stream www.AccessSacramento.org).  This Sunday join producer and host Dr. Brian Moffitt and local consultants Gail Mancarti and Steve Sphar as they differentiate leadership and management and explain what successful leaders to and how to develop your leadership skills.