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DR. CHAZ SEZ:
CORPORATE LOYALTY IS DEAD
Over 50%
of America’s workforce
will be freelancers by 2027.
Stability in the job market is gone.
BUT I'VE GOT GOOd news!
I've served for 20 years as a
college professor, career counselor,
private coach, and corporate trainer.
Whether you're a new grad or mid-career pro confused by the Gig Economy
I can help you find what's next!
Could you explain that one more time?
No problem! Listen this a short audio intro (below) to my LinkedIn courses to get an idea of how I teach. And there are links to each of my three video courses further down the page. Watch and learn!
Start here:
My introductory LinkedIn video course Creating A Career Plan guides you through the key steps of career planning, from identifying your dream job and your monetizeable passion to branding and networking to help you land that next opportunity.
What are you – some kind of expert?
- Exactly! I’m the literally the guy who wrote the books! I recently contributed this chapter The Gig Economy: How Freelance Work is Re-defining the 21st Century Workplace in the United States to an international study. You can read it below or click to download a printable PDF. And of course I recommend purchasing my two books on Amazon.
OK, Boomer! But does this approach really work?
Check out some recent testimonials and an unsolicited video shout-out from a student.
Dr. Chaz is an exceptional team leader who pushes you to strive for the absolute best! His willingness to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and structure a team is thoughtful and innovative. He is charismatic, warm, and truly looks out for his team.intellect and intuition, creates a supportive and positive learning environment.
As a guest speaker and panelist in several of my classes, Chaz delivered practical life/business information in a very upbeat/encouraging style. He supercharged the audience and inspired them to take action toward living a more prosperous life.
Dr. Chaz is a motivator. He takes charge of situations with diplomacy and determination. His upbeat energy is very much appreciated, and coupled with his intellect and intuition, creates a supportive and positive learning environment.
Dr. Austin is an excellent administrator and manager. He knows how to structure a staff: his hires are top-notch people. He knows how to inspire, advise and motivate staff to do their best. He’s imaginative, yet focused, and always has an ear available for support and advice. He developed a cohesiveness, direction and joy in our department.
Dr. Chaz's academic work proves real-world value in new program
I am pleased to announce that a comprehensive, customizable program incorporating my concepts is now available for your academic institution’s students and alumni.
Based on ideas from my doctoral dissertation, the new curriculum, developed by Mary Cannon, BCC, MS. Ed. a Board-Certified Coach at SUNY’s Geneseo School of Business, is a proven success.
Mary writes:
94%-100% of our 2021 School of Business graduates found employment or enrolled in grad school seven months after graduation.
Graduate outcomes for Accounting students improved by 6%, Business Administration improved by 24%, and Economics graduate outcomes improved by 29%.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
Dr. Chaz On the Air with JULIE TALKS MONEY
WAKE UP: It's all about the gig economy now! (16-minute TEDx Talk)
You scored a gig? Congratulations! My LinkedIn video course — Succeeding In A New Job — shows you how to make that job last! I share practical tips for creating a solid foundation and thriving when taking on a new role and joining a new company — from making a good first impression to measuring performance. The course explores techniques that can create a path to success. Learn about the value of finding mentors, communicating effectively, and integrating with a new team.
EXTRA CREDIT: How can I do better in my new job?
To be a great leader you need to be a gardener who creates a safe environment for his people, and protects and nurtures their environment. Here’s my guide to being a good leader and manager.
There are two kinds of bosses: the kind you want to kill, and the kind you’d kill FOR. Leadership (vision) and management (execution) are not about theory – they’re about how to deal with and empower your most important asset – your people.
In addition to the hard skills someone needs in order to do the job, you’re looking for the things that cannot be taught: intelligence, good critical thinking skills, a willingness to learn, being personable – and someone you can get along with. These essential character qualities – combined with their knowledge and experience – will make them win with you, your team, and your customers.
Put the most important qualities at the top. You will probably not get everything you want. Get MOST of it, and then train people in what they need to learn. Because of their personal qualities (see #1), that should be relatively easy.
Your team must be involve in the process of hiring new people. Don’t play “boss” by forcing your choice on others. Your employees will have to live with this new person. If they didn’t have any say in bringing them on board, you’ll be injecting a virus into your environment. Viruses get rejected by the host.
One of the dysfunctional characteristics of American business is that companies don’t train people. They just throw them into work without mentoring, without even showing them where the land mines are buried. People want to do well. Guide them in understanding how to navigate the culture of your organization. The most important thing a new employee can learn is “how things work around here.”
Treat all your employees as individuals. What motivates one person may not necessarily motivate another.
Thank your employees every day before they leave work. You know they do good work, but you want them to know you recognize and appreciate their efforts. And be authentic about it – people can smell a phony.
Reward your team in tangible ways, too: lunches, drinks after work, birthday and work anniversary celebrations, raises, bonuses, days off, etc. Trips to conferences and conventions are a great perk – everyone needs to get out of the office occasionally, no matter how good a work environment you’ve created.
Unless you work in an E.R., no one is going to die. Have some perspective – and a sense of humor – about your work environment. Send everyone home (including yourself) at the end of the day to have a life. The problems will still be there in the morning. I promise.
Your job is to handle problems, to be the calm center of the storm when they arise – which is constantly. See #8 when the problems start bothering YOU.
I hold a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership, and all theories of leadership and management can be reduced to four words: Don’t Be An Asshole. Don’t play “boss” and lord your position over your team. No need to be abusive. Show some restraint.
A leader/manager needs to be a combination amateur therapist/priest/mommy (or daddy). The members of your team may come to you to fix a problem and “make it all better.” Maybe there is nothing you’ll have to do. Just listen. People need to vent. They can often find the solutions themselves.
It never lies. Ever notice how there are 12-Step Programs for alcoholism, drug dependency, gambling addiction, etc., but none for workaholism? Companies encourage overwork. Don’t YOU do that. People tend to work too hard and too much, and their bodies rebel and then they get sick. Part of your job is to monitor your team’s well-being. Encourage them to maintain balance in their lives. They’ll often be harder on themselves than you could ever be. Be kind to them, and train them how to be kind to themselves.
You hired great people; encourage their ideas. They’re “on the ground,” the infantry, so to speak, while you’re somewhat removed from the day-to-day. They see things you don’t (and vice versa). Be humble: they’ll have ideas for improving process and workflow that would never have occurred to you. Embrace their ideas. Tweak those ideas as needed, but make it okay for them to suggest the outrageous.
The mantra needs to be: “How LITTLE work can we do?” (in other words, how efficiently can we use our time?). Let your team be responsible for the process (HOW things are done). YOU focus on quantifiable RESULTS. Work with your team to set goals they can accomplish, so they can WIN.
It’s complicated! My third LinkedIn video course — Transitioning Out of Your Job — can help you do this right. Is it time to move on from your company or current position? Learn how to quit your job with grace and leave on the best terms possible. I’ll help you evaluate the pros and cons of leaving a job and taking on a new opportunity somewhere else. If you decide to make a break, I’ll show you how to you give proper notice, have the conversation with your boss, and say goodbye to your team. I’ve also got advice on taking advantage of the interim period between jobs to relax, refresh, and reflect.
What should I do next, Dr. Chaz?
I’m everywhere! Send me an email, follow me on Twitter, check me out on LinkedIn, join my free Facebook group, or see my photos on Instagram.
