Before and after the acquittal verdict was read in the William Kennedy Smith rape trial, prosecutor Moira Lasch was criticized by some legal experts who implied that she was in over her head. Lasch, whose credentials as a tough, experienced lawyer were virtually unquestioned prior to the trial, has not yet answered those critics.
Management expert Barry Eigen says the opportunity to prosecute such a highly visible case initially may have looked to Lasch like ”a wonderful opportunity.” The question, says Eigen, is whether Lasch`s ”crystal ball could have told her from the beginning that she was perhaps biting off more than she could chew.”
None of us have crystal balls to tell us if things aren`t going right in our careers. Still, Eigen says there are clues that may help us determine if we are in over our heads.
Eigen, author of ”How to Think Like A Boss & Get Ahead At Work” (Avon, $4.50), says if you`re feeling inexperienced and nervous about undertaking a job or work assignment, you`re not alone.
”All opportunities (with potential for career growth) make us really reach and stretch,” says Eigen, founder and former president and chief executive officer of HealthCall, a nationwide distributor of medical equipment based in Milwaukee. He sold the multi-million dollar business in 1985 and now runs a marketing consulting firm, Eigen & Associates, with his wife Diane.
Eigen suggests sitting down with your boss before taking on a new challenge to determine a ”yardstick of performance.”
”It`s important to have objective measuring points that tell you if you are achieving the goals set by you and your boss.”
If you don`t reach those agreed-upon goals, then you may be too wrapped up in time-consuming details when you should be concentrating on the bigger picture, Eigen says.
Listening to your gut may be the best way of knowing that you`re out of your league, he adds. Two signs to watch for: If you are working harder and enjoying it less or if you are feeling overwhelmed on the job and not sure what to do next.
Becoming increasingly emotional about your work is another clue your job might be too difficult. For example, you lose your temper more easily, or feel unusually scared or sad.
If fellow employees, bosses or subordinates begin treating you differently, then you may be getting a message they think your performance isn`t up to par. Paul M. Hirsch, distinguished professor at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, says you`ll notice such treatment ”when people stop asking you for your advice or opinion.”
Hirsch says you should not feel embarrassed about asking for support.
”The higher the consequence of failing, the more you should be willing to turn to others for help or advice.”
Eigen advises against bluffing your way through a problem. ”It`s not possible to forge ahead and have nobody notice,” he says.
Even if you find it embarrassing to admit that you are in trouble, the best advice is to swallow your pride.
Eigen suggests telling the boss ”I`m having a problem here and I don`t want to carry it to the point where there is damage we can`t repair.”
If you are reluctant to go to someone in your own organization for help, Hirsch says you should call on friends or outside help. ”You can call on a consultant and it`s not considered a sign of weakness. The consultant just might pull you out of it.”
Among other suggestions by Eigen and Hirsch:
– If your boss is becoming increasingly critical, don`t let the criticism go unanswered. Be straightforward and ask the boss if there is something else you should be doing to meet his or her expectations.
– If you sense you are spending too much time ”putting out fires” or solving petty problems, you may be ”reacting to a situation rather than anticipating possible problems and acting to avoid them,” says Eigen.
– Unless you are in personnel, don`t spend too much time dealing with other employees` problems. Stay focused on your work and constantly review priorities.
– Keep a sense of perspective about failures. ”All the people who`ve made it big have taken chances and can show you in their histories that they had failures along the way,” Eigen says.
LIFELINES
Communications group
The International Association of Business Communicators offers networking opportunities for communications professionals, as well as free-lancers. Annual dues: $205. 312-332-0147 or 415-433-3400 (national).
Fundraisers` society
The National Society of Fund Raising Executives offers monthly meetings and seminars to professionals working in fundraising and public relations for non- profit groups. For membership information, 708-655-0134.
Home economists
Chicago Home Economists in Business, for home economists in a variety of fields, has monthly meetings and issues a bimonthly newsletter. Dues are $130 a year. Call Sandra Brown, 708-655-8866.
Artists` society
The American Society of Artists, which includes professsional artists and craftspeople, sponsors lectures and helps members publicize their art shows. Annual dues: $50; $70 first year. 312-751-2500.
Worker`s bookshelf
”Dare to Connect,” by Susan Jeffers (Fawcett Columbine, $18); ”The Marketing Revolution,” by Kevin J. Clancy and Robert S. Shulman
(HarperBusiness, $22).
