GenY and GenX, listen up. This show is for you. Whether you are looking for work in a struggling economy, or trying to move up when others around you are being downsized, here are four essential things you must do to stand out, get ahead and stay ahead of the competition. My guest is Sean Harvey, a NYC-based career development consultant whose clients are 20 and 30-something professionals. Music includes "It’s Your Lucky Day Now" by AJ and The Frozen Tundra Blues Band.

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Maybe it’s because of the political season. Maybe not. But I’ve been getting complaints about office politics, none-stop. They come from the young who are new to the world of work. Those who’ve been at the game a while, refer to office games as energy guzzlers. Retirees say it’s the thing they miss the least. Seems the only ones who get off on office games are the folks who spend the bulk of their time promoting themselves instead of doing the work. You can’t entirely ignore the games. But there is a better way to get ahead. 

In addition to performing really well, here are a few tips. 

• Take the time to create your Career Plan. Think at least 5 - 10 years out. What kind of work would you like to be doing? At what level. What experience do you need to get there? What new skills? Knowledge? Consider opportunities in your organization. Identify possible outside opportunities. Power comes from unambiguous clarity of purpose.
• Communicate clearly and frequently to important stakeholders about how well you are doing. Your importance and shelf life dwindle when communication ceases. Your stock goes up when you relay frequent, brief contacts about your accomplishments and progress. 
• Take control.  You be the one to step up to the plate. Set the strategy. Take action. Always mind your manners. Bad behavior is usually a power play to intimidate. Don’t get caught in someone else’s game. At work there are no winners or losers. There are those who take control. And there are those who lose it.

Funny how doing anything for exactly one year can often spawn an epiphany. It tugs at us to change direction, however minor the adjustment, to breathe new life into what seemed perfectly on-course until that 365 day marker appeared in the rearview mirror. Okay, enough suspense already. Harriet Katz is branching out! And what an exciting ride it is going to be! Music heard on this show includes You Ain’t Seen Nothin Yet by Bachman Turner Overdrive.

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Women’s Lib. Betty Friedan. Rowe v Wade. Helen Reddy. What would you say are the three most significant changes for women that have taken place in the last 30 to 40 years? And what do they mean for women today and tomorrow? Our guest this week is Dr. Debra Kaufman, Director of Womens’ Studies at Northeastern University. Music heard on this show includes “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy and “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by Zindy.

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Cindy called to say her work situation is going south, after more than twelve years. She is a Senior Vice President who had aspirations of gaining the top position in her department. But nine months ago Bob was hired to the post- ahead of Cindy. (more…)

It’s advice time. Ken dipped into our email bag and found five great questions- all about the never-ending battle of the sexes! Music includes “The Leprechaun” by the Brobodingnagrian Bards.

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As metaphors go, this is one of the best for teaching us how to succeed at virtually anything. Sometimes we are all that prevents true happiness in our relationships and careers. Here’s how to connect to your soul. Take this cello lesson, tap into your inner-self, and discover all you are, all you were meant to be. My thanks to fellow podcaster, Heidi Miller from “Diary of a Shameless Self-Promoter” for relating this story, and to author John David Mann for playing the notes. Music heard in this episode includes “Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G Major” by yo-yo Ma.

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Don’t you deserve The Best? Here’s how to get it. Simple steps you can take to turn dreams about the perfect worklife into your own Career Breakthrough! Hint: think BIG! My guest is successful career coach, Michele LoBianco. Music heard on this show includes ‘The Best’ by Tina Turner. If you have a comment please e-mail me at AskNow@askdrharriet.com

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Tis the supposed to season. The Holidays!! The time of stress. The season of pressures. You’re supposed to shop. You’re supposed to be social. You’re supposed to decorate. You’re supposed to cook. You’re supposed to be fun. No shortage of expectations. And so little time! What’s a person to do?

I’ll bet you are pushing yourself to do what’s expected. Running yourself ragged. Yearning for some down time. Time for you. Do you dare?
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I just heard from Sarah, an Alpha-Woman. Sarah’s in pain. Her husband John has shutdown. He hasn’t made decent money for over 6 months. Time passes. There’s no hope on the horizon.

The more time passes the less Sarah gets through to John. He disappears behind the newspaper. He hides glued to the TV. When confronted, his eyes glaze over. To add insult to injury, John does less and less around the house. He says he has no time. The more Sarah’s frustrated, the less she gets through to John.
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